Buildbase FA Trophy, 3rd Qualifying Round 
Chelmsford City 1, Taunton Town 0 

THE Peacocks suffered the heartbreak of losing to an 89th-minute Anthony Church strike yesterday, after they appeared to had done enough to bring the Clarets back to the Viridor Stadium for a midweek replay, writes Rowland Lyons. 

Forced into changes due to a player departure, suspension, work commitments and injury, boss Leigh Robinson at least got a reaction with a much-improved performance, after being trounced at Salisbury City the previous weekend. 

Despite enduring a 200-mile journey, the visitors made a bright start with Ross Staley's first-minute cross only a cigarette paper away from meeting a diving Jordan Rogers' forehead. 

The Peacocks then edged closer on seven minutes, when home keeper Ross Fitzsimons made a fingertip save from Staley's stinging effort, after the Clarets had failed to clear Ed Palmer's wickedly inswinging free-kick. 

A Staley cross then fizzed across the face of the Claret's goal – with Craig Duff about to pounce – but Phillip Walsh appeared to get a crucial deflection to keep the home goal intact. 

Chelmsford then took charge and Robbie Willmott's defence-splitting pass on 25 minutes found the boot of Elliott Buchanan a yard inside the Taunton box, but Lloyd Irish was quick off his line to make a brave block. 

Three minutes later the Clarets were nearly gifted an opener when the wildest of Owen Irish clearances, from Buchanan's dangerous cross, flew just inches wide with his keeper in no man's land. 

The Clarets continued to try and exercise their home advantage after the restart, with Church firing over from outside the box. 

The Peacocks rarely troubled the home defence, with only Staley testing Fitzsimons, from a difficult angle, on 76 minutes. 

Taunton were clearly hanging on in the closing stages, and Chelmsford struck after the Peacocks failed to clear Christopher Bush's long throw. 

Skipper Church reacted quickest in a crowded penalty box to send the home side wild with relief, crashing the loose ball in from close range. 

It was tough on gallant Taunton, but with only 12 league games played they must now concentrate on climbing the table. 

The Peacocks travel to Barnstaple this Tuesday (kick-off 7.45pm) and entertain Evesham United this Saturday (kick-off 3pm). 

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Shane White, Matt Villis, Owen Irish, Ed Palmer, Ross Staley, Ollie Chamberlain, Brett Trowbridge (captain), Matt Buse, Craig Duff (Craig Veal 54), Jordan Rogers. 
Subs (not used): Josh Searle, Alex Hoyle, Michael Meaker. 
Attendance: 507