British Gas Business League Division One South and West: Taunton Town 0, AFC Totton 1.

TAUNTON Town’s six game unbeaten home run came to an end on Wednesday with a single goal defeat against title chasing AFC Totton.

Newly promoted from the Wessex League, the Hampshire side are enjoying an excellent first season at this level, and it is a credit to Taunton that they matched the visitors in most departments except pace.

The pattern of the game was set as early as the ninth minute when goalkeeper Gareth Barfoot plucked a long John Harris throw off the head of Danny Lane, and immediately released Jonathan Davies who outstripped the home defence and shot just over.

Forwards Shaun Anthony and Alexis Piper got no change out of the Totton defence all evening, and Taunton’s sporadic attacks all too often ended in rapier-like counter thrusts. On one such raid Jamie Taylor fired just wide, while Taunton’s only first half attempts on goal were two shots from distance by Ben Newby.

Totton’s inevitable winner arrived on 59 minutes when Davies – offside in the opinion of the Taunton bench – clipped over a cross from the left which was glanced home at the near post by an unmarked Taylor.

Leon Simpson and Luke Cole, both available again after bans, were introduced in the closing stages but failed to inject the spark that Taunton needed. A half chance was fired over by Lane five minutes from time – Town’s only opportunity of the entire second period.

The game’s most memorable incident came in the 78th minute when Mark Osman took on and outpaced the entire Taunton defence and squared to Taylor who somehow skied the ball over the bar from five yards out. The howler however did not prevent Totton from winning and returning to the top of the table.

Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Darren Grabham (Dave Anthony 84), Charlie Welch, Ben Newby (Luke Cole 68), Neil Bailey, Scott Thomas, Danny Lane, John Harris (captain), Alexis Piper (Leon Simpson 72), Shaun Anthony, Nick McCootie. Unused subs: Ian Jones. Att: 142.