LEWIS Powell bagged a brace for Bradford Town at Roman Glass St George on Saturday to keep the Bobcats level on points with Toolstation League Premier Division promotion rivals Plymouth Parkway.

Powell notched twice in the opening 45 before St George netted what proved to be only a consolation goal for the hosts late in the second half.

The game wasn’t without its controversies, though. Powell’s first goal was actually flagged for offside by the linesman, prompting the majority of players to pause.

Play was waved on by the referee, though, and Powell proceeded to score the game’s opening goal – much to the frustration of St George manager Andy Gurney who was sin-binned.

For Bobcats chief Wayne Thorne, leaving the artificial Oaklands Park pitch with no injuries came as a welcome relief – three points was simply a bonus.

He said: “Because the game was on a 3G pitch, we wanted to get out of it unscathed.

“I hate playing games on 3G pitches, and I’m sure the players feel that way too. Getting the result and moving on from it was a result.

“Our performance was great - we could’ve been four or five up at half-time. But Roman Glass St George only needed a goal to get back in it, and they did that.

“We had a nervy last couple of minutes, but it’s a pleasing three points given we’re at a disadvantage because of the pitch.

“Roman will train and play on that pitch every week.”

Neikell Plummer’s departure means Thorne has been forced to strengthen his team, and he has done so accordingly after Dean Griffiths was drafted in from Bitton.

Thorne also revealed he is interested in securing the services of Warminster Town captain Charlie Walton – a deal that could be completed in the next week.

Those additions would take Thorne’s squad total back up to 18 – a number he is satisfied with given the Bobcats’ relentless run of fixtures up until the turn of the year.

He added: “I’ve had to strengthen the team over the last couple of weeks.

“Dean Griffiths from Bitton is in, and we’re working on another too. Bodies had to come in as we were short.

“Everyone loves playing games, but it’s important we look after the bodies – especially at this time of year where fixtures will soon be flat out.

“We’re playing three times a week for the next six to eight weeks, rest is therefore important.

“We’ve filled in a few gaps, and we’ll be back up to 18 players in the next couple of weeks.”

Elsewhere in Toolstation Premier Division, Westbury United were without a game on Saturday but return to action on Wednesday evening against Street.

Prior to kick-off, Westbury have accumulated 23 points from their first 13 games.