Taunton pulled off a a thrilling come-back to beat in-form Paulton Rovers 3-2 on Saturday, writes James Wright.

A bright start saw both teams have early clear openings. Josh Klein-Davies headed just wide for the home side whilst Nat Pepperell finished a superb break down the right by firing straight at Kyle Phillips.

Playing down their slope, Paulton began to look the stronger side as the first half evolved, and Joe Perry saved well from Mike Perrot before Nick McCootie bagged the opener just after the half hour mark. The former Taunton striker turned the ball home from close range after a corner from the right had been knocked on by Marcus Mapstone.

A minute later Rovers had a claim for a penalty turned down when McCootie was tackled strongly by Ben Mammola. But the second goal was not far away, Perry failing to cover his near post and getting embarrassed by a crisp left foot shot by Brandon Barnes.

At the start of the second half Paulton looked more like increasing their lead first through McCootie (who was lucky to escape with a yellow card after an off the ball kick at Shane Kingston) then Perrott who had a shot well saved by Perry.

Rapping home a rebound, Andy Robertson pulled Taunton back into contention in the 63rd minute. Then Steve Murray, just on for Kingston, left Phillips clawing at air with a brilliant right foot drive after being teed up by Chris Young.

With their tails up, Town looked the more likely winners and a fabulous victory was secured by a equally fabulous strike by another substitute, this time Simon Ingram, six minutes from time.

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Taunton: Joe Perry, Jamie Short, Steve Kingdon, Owen Irish (captain), Nathan Rudge, Ben Mammola, Rob Norrish (Simon Ingram 32), Shane Kingston (Steve Murray 69), Chris Young, Andy Robertson, Nat Pepperell (Lewis Tasker 88). Unused subs: Craig Herrod Paulton: Kyle Phillips, Ollie Price, Pete Monks, Marcus Mapstone, Scott Brice (captain), Brandon Barnes, Mike Perrott, Josh Jeffries, Josh Klein-Davies (Joe Viner 83), Darren Jefferies, Nick McCootie. Unused subs: Josh Brigham, Paddy Doyle, Ben Lacey Referee: Andrew Quin (Plymouth) Assistants: Jamie MacLeod (Plymouth), Thomas Anstice (Plymouth) Attendance: 166