FROME Town produced a spirited performance at table-topping Herford FC but ultimately a 36th-minute goal from John Mills led to a 1-0 Premier Division defeat.

Frome’s task was made more difficult in the last 10 minutes after Darren Jefferies was shown a straight red card for something said to the referee.

In front of a crowd of 1,685, Frome caused early problems with Jon Davies cross seeing Jefferies just fail to finish and another that saw Martin Horsell brought into action in the home goal.

The Frome defence were coping well until Kyle Phillips brought off a superb save from a free kick, but Mills followed up to put the ball into the net from close range.

Frome immediately carried on looking for the equaliser and with Kris Miller going down in the home penalty area and Davies shooting just wide from the edge of the area.

Frome went close in the 75th minute as Davies brought a full-stretch save from Horsell after Jefferies had charged down a clearance, but Frome’s task became harder in the 80th minute with Jefferies being shown the straight red.

In the 82nd, Davies went on a run from inside his own half leaving a trail of defenders in his wake but couldn’t quite get the ball on target.

Phillips was also forced to make several good saves to keep the home side out.