Bridgwater Town Reserves opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Somerset County League Premier Division with a 2-1 victory over second-placed Shirehampton at Penpole Lane.

Bridgwater had much the better of the first half and took the lead through striker Jamie Howson midway through the first half.

The striker put his side in control with his second goal early in the second half when he ran clear of the defence to lob the goalkeeper.

Shirehampton pulled a goal back in the 75th minute, but were unable to get an equaliser. They are five points adrift of Town, although they do have a game in hand.

Cutters Friday maintained their challenge with a 3-1 victory at Timsbury Athletic, where they took a fifth-minute lead when Dave O'Reilly won a challenge in midfield to send stand-in striker Dan Webster racing clear of the defence to score.

Timsbury scored a 33rd-minute equaliser with Cutters hitting for 2-1 a minute before the interval when a crossfield ball from Harley Purnell allowed Ryan Bending to score with a well-struck shot.

They clinched victory with a third goal in the 77th minute when Purnell's free-kick from the right gave veteran central defender Paul Chaffey the chance to outjump the home defence and score with a header.

Bishops Lydeard moved into third spot with a 2-0 victory at Castle Cary, while fourth-placed Frome Town Reserves were 3-1 home winners over Glastonbury Town.

Cleeve West Town gave themselves hope of avoiding relegation with a 2-0 home victory in their derby against Backwell United, while Winscombe were 3-0 home winners in their derby clash with Nailsea United.

The top two clubs in Division One – St George Easton In Gordano and Fry Club – did not have a game, but Paulton Rovers Reserves moved into third place with a 3-0 victory at bottom of the table Burnham United Reserves.