Evo-Stik South West

Taunton Town 3, Shortwood United 3

TAUNTON Town scored three goals in the final seven minutes to salvage a remarkable point having been 3-0 down against Shortwood United.

Dan Sullivan scored twice, including the injury time leveller from the spot, with Ross Staley grabbing the other as the Peacocks extended their unbeaten run in the league.

The hosts were not at the races to begin with, and Jordan Morris gave the visitors a deserved lead on 14 minutes.

Ollie Chamberlain crashed an effort against the crossbar and Sullivan fired narrowly wide as Town searched for an equaliser, but it was Shortwood who claimed the second goal of the game as Joe White tapped in.

Ben Adelsbury replaced Chris McGrath in the Peacocks defence on the half hour and soon forced a fine save from the goalkeeper with a free-kick, but Leigh Robinson's side went into the break two down.

With 15 minutes to play the game looked over when Will Hawes slotted home a third for Shortwood, but that goal belatedly sparked the leaders into action.

Ross Staley began the fightback, finding the net on 83 minutes, and Sullivan took advantage of a goalkeeping fumble to reduce the deficit to one goal with two minutes to play.

As the hosts piled on the pressure in injury time, the referee awarded a penalty to Town - Sullivan stepped up to slot home and secure the most unlikely of points.

Taunton are now five points clear of Salisbury at the top, with two games in hand, and there is a 10-point cushion between Town and Bristol Manor Farm in third.

Next up for the Peacocks is a trip to Mangotsfield United on Tuesday evening.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Ross Staley, Brett Trowbridge, Chris McGrath (Ben Adelsbury), Toby Down, Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan, Craig Veal (Les Afful)