Evo-Stik South West

Taunton Town 3, Kidlington 2

TAUNTON Town will be playing in the Southern Premier for the first time in their history next season after sealing promotion with victory over Kidlington at the Viridor Stadium.

The Peacocks came from behind twice to see off their resolute visitors for a win which, combined with Wimborne's defeat at Bristol Manor Farm, meant Taunton's rise was assured.

Town's groundstaff put in a superb shift to ensure the game was on in the first place in light of the recent rain, but the hosts took a while to get going on the sticky surface.

Lloyd Irish had to make a fine early save to deny Mark Bell, but the goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Kidlington captain Lewis Gabbidon's deflected effort finding the corner of the net on seven minutes.

Taunton huffed and puffed but created little of note until Craig Veal headed Dan Sullivan's cross wide from point-blank range, a miss they nearly paid for as both Bell and Connor McDonagh brought the best out of Irish soon afterwards.

Kidlington's goalkeeper Sam Warrell was not to be overshadowed and pulled off a fine save of his own to keep out Sullivan's header just after the half-hour mark.

Town did have the ball in the net before the break only for an offside flag to deny Veal, with the only good news at half-time coming from Bristol, where Manor Farm were keeping up their end of the bargain by leading Wimborne 4-1.

That scoreline perhaps boosted the Peacocks as they came flying out the traps after the restart, levelling on 48 minutes when Sullivan crossed for captain Matt Wright to fire under Warrell from just inside the area.

Another Sullivan cross nearly led to a second within minutes as Veal was inches away from making contact at the back post, only for Kidlington to put the champagne back on ice when they re-took the lead as James Organ flicked home from a corner.

Wright headed narrowly over as Taunton sought a response, but their final product was uncharacteristically poor until a dramatic final 10 minutes.

Ollie Chamberlain - who was introduced at half-time in place of Pierce Mitchell - netted the equaliser with a composed low finish from the edge of the box after a cross was only half cleared, and the momentum was now with the leaders.

Spurred on by a crowd of 555, Town grabbed the winner four minutes from time when Matt Wright's shot was diverted home by Veal, who wheeled away in delight towards the jubilant supporters.

Kidlington, who were unfortunate to leave with nothing, couldn't muster a response in the closing stages as Taunton saw out their 25th win from 35 league games and secure promotion by the end of March - a fine effort.

Next up for the Peacocks, who will now look to seal the title, is a trip to Bideford on Monday.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell (Ollie Chamberlain), Nuno Felix, Ben Adelsbury, Keith Emmerson, Shane White, Matt Buse (Les Afful), Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan, Craig Veal (Josh Nelmes).

Subs not used: Toby Down, Joel Randall

Attendance: 555