Evo-Stik Southern League

Premier Division South

Taunton Town 3, Hendon 3

MATT Wright's injury-time penalty rescued a point for Taunton Town on Saturday, after Ricardo German's hat-trick looked to have won the game for visitors Hendon.

The Peacocks fought back from 3-1 down at the Viridor Stadium, as goals from Wright (2) and Dan Sullivan ensured they claimed a share of the spoils.

The hosts did not heed the early warning signs - Ben Adelsbury clearing off the line from a corner - as German claimed his first goal after just seven minutes, pouncing after some lax play from the Peacocks allowed Marvin Morgan to prod the ball across for the striker to score.

Taunton then proceeded to batter at the door, only for Wright to see his header cleared off the goal-line, and both Ollie Chamberlain and Wright sending efforts straight at goalkeeper Danny Boness.

They were made to play for their lack of clinical finishing when, on 34 minutes, the visitors hit them on the counter-attack and German made it 2-0, taking Laste Dombaxe's pass and stroking the ball past Lloyd Irish.

Wright finally did find the net four minutes before half time, heading in from Shane White's cross, to give his side hope heading into the interval.

The chances kept coming after the break, Chamberlain being denied by a fine Boness save, but then German completed his hat-trick, shrugging off Adelsbury and firing past Irish in the 56th minute.

A 3-1 deficit could have been curtains for the Peacocks, but to their credit they fought back, introducing another forward in Craig Veal on the hour, and seeing a penalty shout turned down soon after.

On 66 minutes Sullivan lashed the ball into the net to make it 3-2 after White's throw was flicked on by Wright and Veal, but he was then denied an equaliser by Boness, who also tipped over Veal's effort from close range, while at the other end Irish denied Dombaxe.

Ryan Brett and White also went close, but as the game went past 90 minutes it looked like defeat was on the cards - until a penalty was awarded four minutes into stoppage time, Howard Hall adjudged to have handled the ball.

Wright stepped up to convert, for an ending reminiscent of Taunton's comeback against Shortwood United last season, the final score again reading 3-3.

The Peacocks don't have much of a breather until their next match - a trip to bitter rivals Tiverton Town (who dropped their first points of the season by drawing 2-2 at Harrow Borough) on Monday.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Shane White, Nuno Felix (Pierce Mitchell 78), Ben Adelsbury, Keith Emmerson, Matt Buse (Craig Veal 61), Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan, Andrew Neal (Josh Nelmes 78). Subs not used: Michael Meaker, Tom Stone. Attendance: 523