Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division South

Poole Town 1, Taunton Town 0

TAUNTON Town failed to reproduce their midweek FA Cup sparkle as they slid to a disappointing defeat at Poole Town in a match which saw both sides end with 10 men.

Marvin Brooks' 26th-minute strike was enough to separate the two sides, with Pierce Mitchell and home captain Jamie Whisken then each sent for an early bath in the space of five second half minutes.

Taunton, without both Matt Wright and Ryan Brett through suspension, missed early half-chances through Keith Emmerson and Andrew Neal before Brooks broke the deadlock, converting Corby Moore's cross.

Neal blazed a free-kick over as Poole held their lead until half-time, and the first 15 minutes of the second half were punctuated by the sendings off.

Mitchell was first to go, receiving his second yellow card on 56 minutes, but Poole's numerical advantage lasted only until just after the hour mark as Whisken then saw red - also for two bookings.

The Peacocks remained flat going forward, however, with Keith Emmerson's long-range effort which flew wide their best effort in the closing stages.

Former Exeter City youngster Harry Gardner came on for his Taunton debut in the closing stages but could not spark an equaliser as the Peacocks returned pointless from Dorset for the second time this season following August's defeat at Weymouth.

They are back over the border on Tuesday night, as they travel to Dorchester Town.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Nuno Felix, Shane White, Keith Emmerson, Matt Buse, Ollie Chamberlain (Harry Gardner 88), Brett Trowbridge, Craig Veal, Josh Nelmes (Douglas Camilo 70), Andrew Neal

Subs not used: Dan Sullivan, Ben Adelsbury, Matt Villis

Attendance: 406