TROWBRIDGE Town could not make it two Hellenic League wins in a row as a dubious penalty swung the game at high-flying Purton.

The Bees were defeated 3-1 and were entitled to feel hard done by following a contentious second half decision by the referee.

Although Trowbridge had not played for three weeks and Purton for a fortnight, both teams began with impressive energy and there was end-to-end action for much of the first period.

Half chances were the order of the day in a lively first period. Guy Rowley could not make a clean connection with a header when The Bees’ best chance came to him, while Tom Berryman made two saves to keep the scoresheet clean at the other end.

The game’s big moment came soon after the restart when the Purton centre forward went down under a challenge from Adam Glover.

After several minutes in consultation with his linesman the referee gave the penalty, and Warren Fuller, who Bees boss Paul King identified as Purton’s danger man last week, put away the spot kick.

Ashley Benison and Waleed Bakali both had opportunities as the visitors tried to hit back, but they were then let down by lax defending at the other end.

Poor marking allowed the Purton skipper a free header and he directed the ball cleanly into the back of the net.

Trowbridge pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to play when teenage striker Jamie Jordan made the most of a defensive error, as he rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home.

But the visitors’ hopes of an equaliser were dashed when Purton broke out of defence, and Blaine Fitzgerald snatched a third goal to ensure Purton took three points.

Trowbridge host Cirencester United today.

Allan Clarke is unavailable but Jake Little will return after resting his knee injury, and Jamie Young is also back.