Didcot Town’s excellent run under manager Gary Elkins came to an abrupt end with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Merthyr Town in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League.

In driving rain, and on a difficult pitch, the Railwaymen never came to terms with the conditions and in the end were well-beaten by the Martyrs.

Didcot’s best chance to get anything out of the game came within the opening ten minutes, but Pablo Haysham failed to convert.

There was nothing between the sides until the hosts went ahead on 38 minutes.

Matt Harris evaded a challenge just outside the Didcot box and then fired home off the inside of a post.

Didcot’s hopes of getting back into it after the break were extinguished when Merthyr scored two quick-fire goals early in the second half.

Jason Welsh headed home a free-kick on 48 minutes and then Nathan Davies rattled home a third from the edge of the box.

Didcot almost grabbed a consolation when James Clark brought a decent save out of home keeper Giles Cutlan in the closing stages, but by then the result was never in doubt.

The Railwaymen bid to bounce back when they entertain local rivals North Leigh tomorrow.

Didcot Tn: Pereira, Elkins, Stanley, Osborne-Ricketts (Tappin 42), Thomas, Henderson, Thomas, Haysham, Bowles (Browne 70), Clark, Heapy, M Williams.

Attendance: 271.