Taunton lost 3-0 at Didcot Town in the Evo-Stik Southern league last night, writes James Wright.

Leigh Robinson handed a debut to Scott Rogers, nephew of assistant boss Martyn Rogers. The midfielder, who scored a Wembley winner for Tiverton in 1999, signs from Chippenham having most recently been playing for Williand Rovers.

Both teams took a while to warm up on a bitterly cold evening. A charged down shot by Didcot's Elliott Osborne-Ricketts was the only chance of note in the opening half hour.

Taunton scrambled a header by Luke Carnell off the line as the home side continued to threaten as half time approached.

At the other end, Nat Pepperell released Khaled Badavi after a blistering burst. However Badavi, an early substitute for Carl Cliff Brown who was withdrawn with a pulled hamstring, saw his angle closed by home keeper Marco Belolli-Periera.

The visitors wobbled at the start of the second half. Conor Thompson was stretched into a couple of fine saves, Rob Norrish cleared a header off the time and Owen Irish timed perhaps the tackle of the season to dispossess Pablo Haysham.

Taunton's best chance came after 67 minutes when Rogers released Craig Herrod with a brilliant pass, but Belolli-Periera saved.

Ironically, Didcot took the lead just thirty seconds later, Haysham pouncing on a defensive slip and rounding Thompson to net from a narrowing angle.

Mark Janes wrapped up the points on 79 minutes converting a low centre from the left by Morgan Williams.

Osborne-Ricketts then gave the scoreline a very unfair slant when he picked himself off the floor to rap home an 86th minute penalty after being tripped by Irish.

The harshness of the scoreline was best evidenced by Didcot nominating their own goalkeeper as man of the match.

Taunton: Conor Thompson, John Harris, Alex Jeannin, Owen Irish, Ben Gerring, Rob Norrish (Rodney Marsh 74), Nat Pepperell, Simon Ingram (captain) (Jamie Short 77), Carl Cliff Brown (Khaled Badavi 19), Scott Rogers, Craig Herrod.

Didcot: Marco Belolli-Periera, Sam Elkins, Alex Stanley, Elliott Osborne-Ricketts, Luke Carnell, Ricky Allaway, Mark Janes, Jamie Heapy (captain), Pablo Haysham (Ryan Tappin 87), Joel Meade, Morgan Williams (Ben Hepburn 90). Unused subs: Callum Casson, Jack Bernasconi, Mauro Periera.

Referee: Adrian Gillett (Aylesbury).

Assistants: Ernie Moore (High Wycombe), Chris Williams (Aylesbury).

Attendance: 105.