CLEVEDON Town travelled to relegation rivals Bedford Town and suffered a 3-1 defeat which leaves them deep in trouble in 21st place in the league.

CLEVEDON Town travelled to relegation rivals Bedford Town and suffered a 3-1 defeat which leaves them deep in trouble in 21st place in the league.

Matthew Walsh and Nana Baah returned to the starting 11 as Chris Hartland and Joey Evans dropped to the bench.

Both sides began hesitantly, conscious of the importance of the game. On five minutes Toby Osman had a chance from close range which Bedford goalkeeper Mike Armitt smothered, while at the other end an Ian Draycott shot hit the Seasiders' bar. The home side began to exert their dominance as Danny Greaves twice denied Josh Sozzo with good saves. Jamie Cole then blasted wide when well placed as the half ended goal-less.

On 47 minutes Bedford went ahead as Josh Sozzo ran through on Danny Greaves and, although the Clevedon stopper blocked his effort, the loose ball fell kindly for the striker who lobbed it back into the empty net. The Seasiders controlled the next 15 minutes but could not find the net, the closest they came being a Toby Osman shot across goal.

But Bedford gradually regained control and went 2-0 up on 74 minutes as a Derwayne Stupple pass into the box found Ian Draycott who hit a shot into the top corner. Three minutes later it was 3-0 as Draycott got behind the Clevedon defence to side foot home a right wing cross from Callum Lewis to seal the win for the hosts.

Towards full time Craig Loxton produced a volley which went just wide before the Seasiders pulled a goal back when Matthew Walsh confidently converted a penalty awarded for a trip on Toby Osman.

But it was just a consolation as the final whistle left Clevedon looking down the barrel of relegation.