Paulton, who were two goals down minutes before half time, hit back to snatch a hard-fought victory.

The visitors went a goal down in the 12th minute, when a cross from the right was touched home from close range by Ian Richardson, who looked suspiciously offside.

It then needed a good save from Kyle Phillips in the Paulton goal to turn a 20-yard shot from Mark Osman over the bar.

Totton increased their lead in the 32nd minute when full-back Ross Lloyd broke forward and his far-post cross, which just eluded Osman, was turned past Phillips by Nathan Sherborne.

Paulton got into the game in the 42nd minute when Robbie Claridge headed the ball into the goalmouth and Ben Cleverley was brought down for Claridge to score from the penalty spot.

Phillips made good saves from Osman and James Taylor early in the second half before Paulton equalised in the 51st minute.

A Josh Jefferies header from a Ben Cleverley cross was turned behind for a corner and from Cleverley's corner was laid back to central defender Rob Cousins lurking just outside the penalty area and he crashed the ball home.

Phillips denied Sherborne in the 64th minute with a good save and Paulton took the lead in the 79th minute when Chris Lane broke down the left and his cross was turned back by Jefferies for French to score.