DIDCOT Town’s poor form continued as they suffered a disastrous second-half collapse in a 4-1 defeat away to fellow Division 1 South & West strugglers Bishops Cleeve on Saturday.

The Railwaymen actually led at half-time, but then went off the rails after the break.

With boss Gary Elkins absent, coaches Dougie Graham and Ian Concannon started with Reading Youth player Josh Webb, son of England international Neil Webb, who signed on loan last week.

James Clark and Elliott Osborne-Ricketts returned to the team that lost against Bridgwater.

On a heavy pitch, Didcot started well land took the lead in the 11th minute when Ryan Tappin volleyed home a Pablo Haysham’s cross for his first goal of the season.

Haysham (pictured) had a chance to double Didcot’s lead before half-time, but his tame effort was saved.

The game turned on a controversial penalty given by referee Lisa Rashid just after half-time.

The official adjudged that Didcot captain Gareth Thomas had fouled Michael Jackson, who picked himself up to level the score from the spot.

Two minutes later, Cleeve’s Jake Lee broke through the Didcot defence and slotted past keeper Marco Belloli-Pereira.

With Didcot struggling on the deteriorating pitch, an error from Osborne-Ricketts gifted Michael Davis a chance to make it 3-1 after 63 minutes.

Bishops Cleeve substitute Stuart Midwinter wrapped the game up late on to send Didcot to their third league defeat in a row. And with Yate and Taunton both winning away, Didcot now find themselves in the bottom three.

Didcot: Belloli-Periera, Elkins, Casson, Osborne-Ricketts (Browne 84), Thomas, Stanley, Tappin, Heapy, Clark, Haysham, Webb. Subs not used: Harris, Bernasconi, Periera.

Attendance 61.