Evo-Stik Southern League
Division 1 South & West
Bridgwater Town 1, Yate Town 2 

BRIDGWATER succumbed to their 36th league defeat of a nightmare season, as they waved goodbye to Southern League football with a narrow home loss to Yate Town.

The hosts made a positive start and in the second minute, captain Harry Horton's volley was cleared off the line following a corner.

Yate had shown little threat, but were given the perfect opportunity to take the lead when Tom Harrison went down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty - converted by Jack Ball to give the away side a 16th-minute lead.

Just short of the half hour the Robins got back into the game with a penalty of their own, as Matt Connick was brought down by two defenders and Syd Camper scored from the spot.

Elliot Ripley saw a header saved from a Tyne Govier corner, and the sides were level at the break.

Seven minutes into the second half brought Yate's second goal, Ciaran Greening given too much space to head home a long-range free-kick.

The Robins looked to respond, and Camper volleyed wide before Connick had a header deflected narrowly off target.

Their hopes of a second equaliser were dealt a real blow when in the 80th minute Horton was sent off for a two-footed tackle that means he will have a ban to start next season.

The Western League Premier Division awaits the Robins now, and they will look to steady the ship under a new manager - set to be announced this week - after a galling 2016/17 campaign.

Bridgwater Town: Granter, Govier, Llewellyn, Robinson, Ripley, Richens (Champion 60), Duffy, Horton, Kellow (Male 27), Connick, Camper.