EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION: Frome Town 2 Hitchin Town 1 (From Wiltshire Times)

EVO-STIK LEAGUE SOUTHERN PREMIER DIVISION: Frome Town 2 Hitchin Town 1

5:36pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in Sport By Dan Barnes

FROME Town were indebted to a moment of magic from Jordan Copp and the heroics of goalkeeper Darren Chitty as they hauled themselves out of the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division relegation zone with a crucial victory over Hitchin Town.

The visitors, who dropped down in to the bottom two this afternoon, could have grabbed a commanding early lead were it not for the efforts of Chitty, with Copp's sensational second half goal earning the Robins all three points.

Hitchin began on the front foot and they went close to taking the lead just minutes in as defender Dean Gilbert flashed a header across the face of goal.

The visitors did make the breakthrough with eleven minutes on the clock, scything through Frome on the counter-attack after winning the ball back midway into their half.

The flowing move ended with Callum Donnelly lofting the ball into the right-hand corner of the net, with keeper Chitty a helpless spectator.

Hitchin had their tails up and they created two chances to extend their lead within minutes of going in front.

A loose ball broke to John Frendo, the league's top-scorer, in the area but his effort was deflected away by Chitty before the Frome keeper made a superb acrobatic save to beat away Lewis Toomey's strike.

Frome finally tested Hitchin keeper Martin Bennett late in the half, with Mitch Bryant firing an effort goalwards, and they stole a way back into the game in the closing stages from the resulting corner.

Matt Smith found space to head goalwards at the far post and his effort was deflected into the top corner of the net by opposition defender Gilbert, breathing new life into the home side.

Darren Perrin's men began the second period with purpose and the the Badgers Hill crowd were on their feet six minutes into the half as the Robins netted a sensational second.

Luke Ballinger pumped a delivery into the box and the ball sat up for fellow winger Copp, who flung himself backwards and rifled the ball into the bottom corner with a stunning overhead kick.

Hitchin were shellshocked and looked a shadow of the side that had been rampant in the opening 20 minutes.

But they still posed a threat, with Frendo attempting to curl a shot into the Frome net, only to be denied by a slight deflection.

Debutant Rhys Baggridge put in a well-timed block to deny the Hitchin dangerman before the Robins went straight up the other end, with Copp drawing a save from keeper Bennett at point-blank range.

Frendo created another chance for the visitors when he worked some space but the striker was denied by another smart save from Chitty.

With the contest drawing to a close, Frome were up in arms as substitute Ricky Hulbert went down off the ball, shortly after contesting the ball with the Hitchin goalie.

The Robins claimed that their striker had been floored by a punch from Bennett but referee Matt Rushton awarded a foul against Hulbert, much to the disbelief of the home support.

But Frome's anger was short-lived as they held on to clinch a huge three points in their bid to beat the drop.

FROME TOWN: Darren Chitty, Rob Hobbs (Sam Allison 81), Rhys Baggridge, Dean Flockton, Dave Thompson, Matt Clark, Matt Smith, Dean Evans (c), Mitch Bryant (Ricky Hulbert 80), Luke Ballinger, Jordan Copp

Subs not used: Darren Jeffries, Lloyd Matthews, Josh Ford.

Attendance: 263