Evo-Stik Southern League
Premier Division South
Taunton Town 0, Basingstoke Town 0

TAUNTON Town were held to a goalless draw by visitors Basingstoke Town on Saturday, with the away side perhaps unfortunate not to come away with from the Viridor Stadium with all three points.

The Peacocks sat second in the table ahead of the match, with Basingstoke in fourth (separated by goal difference), and so a close encounter was to be expected.

Taunton manager Leigh Robinson was absent, as he was getting married, but the home side were unchanged from the win at Tiverton on Monday.

The Peacocks started positively, creating several opportunities, with Ryan Brett volleying at goal from Matt Wright's flick-on but sending the ball narrowly wide.

Dan Sullivan then aimed for the bottom corner but was denied by goalkeeper Colm McAdden, while at the other end George Bennett had a go from distance and was unlucky to see the ball crash against the bar and bounce down in front of the line.

Just after the half-hour, Zidan Akers outpaced the Taunton backline and drew a save from Lloyd Irish, the rebound falling for Sam Smart, whose effort was cleared off the line by Shane White.

Ollie Chamberlain tested McAdden at the other end, but the sides went into the break with nothing between them.

Come the second half, opportunities dried up, despite the hosts throwing on Andrew Neal and Craig Veal.

Indeed the closest either side came to a winner was when Matt Buse was forced to scramble off the line from a Basingstoke corner.

Goalless it finished, and with the away side hitting the woodwork and twice being denied by goal-line clearances, it was certainly a point gained for Taunton.

Their next match is in the Southern League Cup on Tuesday night (ko 7.45pm), with Street being the visitors to the Viridor Stadium.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Nuno Felix (Josh Nelmes 56), Ben Adelsbury, Keith Emmerson, Shane White, Ollie Chamberlain (Andrew Neal 64), Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c) (Craig Veal 74), Dan Sullivan, Matt Buse.
Subs not used: Tom Stone, Brett Trowbridge.
Attendance: 562