SWINDON Supermarine were unable to hold on to a 1-0 lead against out-of-form Southern League Division One South and West leaders Merthyr Town.

The Webb’s Wood Stadium outfit took the lead against the Welsh side, who had not won in their previous three matches, when Harry Etheridge played in Luke Hopper to net.

However, the Martyrs hit back after the interval when the dangerous Kayne McLaggon fired home direct from a free-kick.

Ryan Prosser made it 2-1 to Merthyr on 57 minutes and then he added his and his team’s third six minutes later when he headed home from a corner.

To make matters worse for Dave Webb’s side they lost Etheridge on 73 minutes when he was dismissed for a second bookable offence as Marine slumped to a 3-1 loss.

Meanwhile, a second string Highworth Town outfit lost 1-0 at Newbury Town in the Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup.

Purton’s Hellenic League Division One West trip to Tuffley Rovers was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Glevum Park.