Evo-Stik Southern League
Division 1 South & West
Evesham United 2, Taunton Town 0

TAUNTON Town were beaten for the second successive weekend, but results elsewhere mean they remain in second spot.

They were missing the suspended duo of Owen Irish and Jordan Rogers for the trip to fellow playoff challengers Evesham United, while Matt Wright was only fit enough for the bench.

The Peacocks started marginally better in a first half short of chances, but the hosts took the lead on the half hour as the visiting defence allowed Jordan Ryan time and space to run from halfway and drive into the far corner.

Nine minutes after the break Ross Staley found Craig Veal in plenty of room in the box, but the Peacocks striker could only shoot straight at Kevin Sawyer, before Lloyd Irish denied Adam Mann at the other end.

The return of Wright off the bench could not inspire a Town comeback, as Evesham wrapped up a deserved win six minutes into injury time - Mann finding room in the area to turn and fire home.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Alex Hoyle, Ed Palmer, Ben Palmer, Ross Staley, Shane White, Brett Trowbridge (captain), Ollie Chamberlain (Josh Searle 46), Craig Veal (Craig Duff 60), Matt Buse (Matt Wright 56). Substitute not used: Michael Meaker.
Attendance: 323.

The good news for the Peacocks was that third-placed Tiverton Town also lost, so Taunton remain in second for now.

Those results also mean that runaway leaders Hereford have secured the league title with five games remaining.

Taunton are back in action on Tuesday, away to Keynsham Town in the Somerset Premier Cup semi-final (ko 7.45pm), before hosting Mangotsfield United on Saturday (ko 3pm), where they will look to get back to winning ways in the league.