TIVERTON Town’s promotion dreams were ended yesterday when they lost 3-1 to Paulton Rovers in their play-off semi-final at Ladysmead.

That despite the fact that Paulton were reduced to nine men by the hour mark.

The first dismissal came after just 25 minutes when Dean Evans shown the red card for leading with his elbow.

The Yellows took the lead nine minutes later when Michael Nardiello fired home a long-range effort.

But Paulton struck back moments before half-time, winning two headers in the Tivvy box before Nick McCootie beat Mike Searle to the ball to prod home.

Just nine minutes after the restart, Paulton took a shock lead when again Searle was beaten to the ball – this time by Marcus Mapstone.

Tivvy were given another boost on 61 minutes when Paulton went down to nine, as Sam Teale received a second yellow card for a tackle on Smith.

But 90 seconds later McCootie was put through and squeezed the ball home from a tight angle.

Smith, Sam Malsom and Matt Wright all went close for Tiverton but were denied by heroic defending and some fine goalkeeping from Kyle Phillips.

Paulton now face Merthyr Town – who beat Swindon Supermarine 5-2 – in the final on Monday.