TAUNTON Town kick-started their play-off bid with a rampant 5-0 victory at home to Newport Isle of Wight last night (Wednesday) in Division One (S&W) of the British Gas Business Southern League.

It was their first victory in four league games and moved them back up to seventh in the table - two places outside the play-off zone.

It was their biggest win of the season and came without top scorer Steve Cook who suffered a hamstring injury in the previous Saturday's defeat at Marlow and failed a late fitness test.

Charlie Welch headed Taunton into the lead on just six minutes and, almost straight away, Nat Pepperell curled home the second for his first goal since arriving on loan from Tiverton.

Skipper Gary Fisher hit the third just before the break and Adam Faux made it 4-0 ten minutes into the second period.

The scoring was completed with 15 minutes left when substitute Danny Copeland was brought down and Pepperell stroked home the spot kick.

Another boost for Taunton was the return to action of Sam Jones who broke his leg near the start of the season. The left back played for over an hour before being replaced by Ben Willshire.

Taunton: Ian Jones, Neil Ward, Sam Jones (sub Ben Willshire 65 mins), Gary Fisher (capt), Scott Thomas, Jak Martin, Nat Pepperell, Aaron Wilson (Matt Beadle 51), Adam Faux, Ronnie Mowatt (Danny Copeland 51), Charlie Welch. Sub not used: Andy Finch.