DECLAN Benjamin’s arrival at Didcot Town is a signal of intent, according to player-manager Andy Ballard.

The midfielder made the switch from Banbury United ahead of the Railwaymen’s 2-2 draw at Evesham United in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League last week.

“He came in and did really well in what was his first game for a while,” said Ballard.

“I think it shows our intent that we’ve signed a player effectively from two leagues above, because his last competitive game was at Oxford City.

“That’s the calibre of player we’re looking to bring to the club.”

Against Evesham, Ben Whitehead's penalty and a strike from Sam Barder enabled Didcot to fight back from 2-0 down to secure their first point of the season.

However that form did not continue on Saturday, when the Railwaymen lost 2-0 at Paulton Rovers.

Two goals in the opening 16 minutes did the damage for Andy Ballard’s side, who had ten players missing for the trip to Somerset.

It was a nightmare start for the visitors when keeper Leigh Bedwell conceded a second-minute penalty, which Jordan Ricketts converted.

Paulton doubled their lead when Nathan Legge curled home from outside the area.

Didcot thought they had won a penalty when George Reid was fouled in the area, but their appeals were waved away by the officials.

Neither side could find another breakthrough after the break, leaving Didcot with just a point from their opening three games.

Wantage Town fell to a 3-1 defeat at Bideford.

Mark Francis missed an early penalty for the visitors, before Matt Andrew struck twice for the hosts.

Boyan Thorpe reduced the deficit, but Kevin Squire sealed the win.

This followed Wantage's 4-1 midweek defeat at North Leigh, when Francis scored the visitors goal from the penalty spot after he himself had been fouled.

Both Didcot and Wantage are involved in Emirates FA Cup preliminary round action on Saturday.

Didcot travel to Ascot United, with the winners, with the winners drawn at home to Tonbridge Angels in the first qualifying round on Saturday September 3.

Wantage, meanwhile, entertain Hanworth Villa in the hope of earning a home game against either Beaconsfield SYCOB or Marlow in the next round.