Wantage Town are certainly making life difficult for new manager Daniel Barry.

After conceding an early goal, the hosts had Adam Lovegrove sent off in the first half of Saturday’s Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West game at home to Bridgwater Town.

In the circumstances, Wantage did well only to lose 1-0, but they are still looking for the first victory under Barry.

Wantage’s expectations of getting something from the game were dented when they went behind in the fourth minute.

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The defence was caught napping as Dean Griffiths put Bridgwater ahead.

The hosts responded with a great move between Lovegrove and Jake Johns setting up a chance for Mark Janes who shot over.

Wantage dominated for the next ten minutes and were pressing hard for the equaliser, when Lovegrove was shown the red card for violent conduct, following an off-the ball incident with Bridgwater keeper Ben John.

Now playing with ten men , Wantage were forced onto the defensive and were indebted to keeper Gareth Tucker, who made two excellent saves.

The home side felt aggrieved early in the second half, when Janes appeared to be taken out by John.

But referee Ben James ruled there was no foul.

Still looking for an equaliser, Barry made three substitutions, which left the defence more exposed, and Tucker made some more great saves to keep the score at 1-0.

Wantage Tn: Tucker, Parish (White 83), Hulbert (Thomas 75), Cattell, Warne, Jones, Janes, Doyle, A Lovegrove, Johns (Roberts 70), Thorne. Subs not used: I Lovegrove, Barton, Lee.

Attendance: 72.

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