THREE goals in the last ten minutes saw Taunton Town beat Wellington 4-0 in the second round of the Somerset Premier Cup at The Playing Field on Wednesday.

The Peacocks had lead through James Blake’s first-half opener.

Winger Jamie Short and a Simon Ingram brace then put the visitors into the last eight of the tournament.

With four youth teamers in the line-up including first team debutants Harvey Puddy and Ollie Chamberlain, the Peacocks made the early running with Blake and Puddy going close.

Wellington hit back and following a 10th minute Owen Irish foul on Dale Webber, a quick free-kick saw Luke Bryant cross for the unmarked Webber, who could only direct his header straight at a grateful Taunton gloveman Craig Veal.

Town made their hosts pay five minutes later when Luke Cole’s through ball was expertly converted by Blake from the edge of the penalty box.

The visitors should have had the tie wrapped up well before the break with Blake and Luke Redrup going close, but Wellington remained in contention with Simon Dennehy missing the target after good Bryant approach play and Oli Nott wasting a good opportunity, shooting weakly at Veal from 20 yards.

Taking advantage of the slope after the break, Taunton dominated but Wellington had their chances when Webber’s 59th minute header flew wide from Ian McHattie’s free-kick and Webber went close on 65 minutes with a rasping drive.

Short doubled the Peacock’s lead on 80 minutes by crashing home Blake’s header from Ingram’s in-swinging cross.

A crude Ash Cook challenge two minutes later on the lively Luke Redrup saw Ingram slam home a 20-yard free kick through the Wellington wall and keeper Wayne Lawrence’s grasp.

It was academic on 84 minutes when Ingram netted from Blake’s unselfish square pass.

But Wellington almost had the final say when late substitute James Garrad’s speculative 40-yard drive hit the top of the Taunton bar but bounced away to safety.

Taunton Town: Craig Veal, Luke Cole (Tim Legg 71), Alex Rigley, Tom Ellis, Owen Irish, Ollie Chamberlain (Jon Vance 86), Jamie Short, Simon Stone (Simon Ingram 67), James Blake, Luke Redrup, Harvey Puddy.

Wellington: Wayne Lawrence, Luke Bryant, Simon Parker, Callum Laird, Ash Cook, Simon Dennehy, Joe Holmes (James Garrad 80), Paul Pocock, Oli Nott (Jamie Fleet 75), Dale Webber, Iain McHattie (Luke Perry 84).

Attendance: 91.

Referee: Adam Penwell (Weston-Super-Mare).

Assistants: Savvas Yianni (Weston-Super-Mare), Kristian Gould (Weston-Super-Mare).