STAR MATCH: South Bristol Boys 1, Bitton AFC 3: South Bristol suffered their second league defeat in a row against a well-organised Bitton side.

The visitors took an early lead thanks to a Rhys Fowler header, but South Bristol's Connor Caddick equalised from the penalty spot not long afterwards. The scores stayed level until a cute Joe Thomas lob put Bitton ahead 10 minutes into the second half and Elliott Gibbons secured all three points late on with an easy header.

South Bristol started the game slightly better than their opponents and Bitton defender Stephen Bond had to pull off a brilliant block. But it was the visitors who struck first, making the most of a free-kick they were awarded in a dangerous position after Jack Bennett was brought down on the right. Bennett whipped the set-piece into the box where Fowler rose above his marker to power home a header.

South Bristol responded positively and a brilliant run from Jack Medjedoub led to the equaliser.

The big midfielder weaved his way around several Bitton players before shooting. Keeper Lewis Gibbons palmed the attempt away and Caio Gilmore was bundled over as he attempted to score from the follow-up. Caddick stepped up and coolly netted the spot-kick, sending Lewis Gibbons the wrong way.

Two minutes later sharp goalkeeping by Lewis Gibbons prevented his side from going behind as he raced from his line to smother at the feet of Hussein Mohamoud after the attacker had latched on to a long ball from Kenley Commons.

Five minutes before half-time, South Bristol's Montel Ferguson displayed great technique when he volleyed a difficult high, bouncing ball goalwards with ferocity, forcing another good save from Lewis Gibbons.

Moments later, Medjedoub curled the ball in behind the Bitton defence for Ferguson, but Lewis Gibbons brilliantly turned his left-footed shot for a corner.

Both sides' number fives – South Bristol's Jordon Devey and Bitton's Stephen Bond – caught the eye in the first half, making important challenges and winning almost every high ball that came their way.

Just after half-time,Fabion Mocktari slid in Medjedoub, but as he burst into the box, he fired a close-range shot high over the bar. A few minutes later, the hosts were in again one-on-one against Lewis Gibbons. Commons' ball over the top put in Mocktari, but his shot was pushed away by the keeper.

Bitton made their opponents pay for their missed chances when Elliott Gibbons showed strength and determination to dispossess a defender before laying the ball back to Joe Thomas, who used the inside of his foot to lob the keeper from 25 yards.

Two minutes later, a mistake from the South Bristol keeper presented Elliott Gibbons with another chance, but he mishit his attempted finish and it fell kindly for Will Mullins to gather.

Bitton were clearly dominating proceedings, with Thomas running the game in the middle of the park. But South Bristol always posed a threat, especially on the break where they used their pace to good effect. And it was from one of these breaks that they should have pulled evel.

Mohamoud capped a brilliant run with a delightful pass which put Medjedoub clear only for the South Bristol attacker to shoot straight at the keeper from 12 yards.

Medjedoub squandered another chance, this time from six yards, after again being set up by Mohamoud.

With two minutes remaining, Bitton were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out which Jack Coulson, who had worked tirelessly in the centre of midfield, smacked goalwards. The shot beat the dive of the keeper but cannoned back off the crossbar and Elliott Gibbons had the simple task of heading the ball in from a yard to seal their first win of the season.

South Bristol: Will Mullins, Dan Owens, Connor Caddick, Jack Medjedoub, Jordon Devey, Eric Githu, Fabion Mocktari, Romane Murchinson, Caio Gilmore, Ryan Beaven, Hussein Mohamoud, Kenley Commons, Sam Gwilliam, Montel Ferguson, Tevin Bailey.

Bitton: Lewis Gibbons, Mason Patchett, James Shears, Jack Coulson, Stephen Bond, Rhys Fowler, Elliott Gibbons, Jack Bennett, Joe Thomas, Sam Miller, Lewis Smith, James Russell, Anton Williams.