TAUNTON Town head of football Rob Dray said there were "too many fours and fives" from his side in Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Hartley Wintney.

The Peacocks were knocked off top spot by Weymouth, who beat Hendon, and have now gone three games without a win.

Dray said: "I'm not going to fluff it up, it's two points dropped.

"There were too many players off it, too many fours and fives, and when that happens in this division it will show.

"There was a lot of bad decision making.

"These players have been fantastic all year, but everybody is going to have an off day and today was ours.

"We still scrambled for a point, which could be important come the end of the season, but we need a win or two now.

"Standards are so high for all of us that we expect more. We have certainly seen a difference in sides coming here in the last month since we have been top, but we have to deal with that.

"We have to defend better - not as a back four or back five, but as a 10.

"We are not putting any pressure on them. Nobody thought we were going to be in this position, but we are where we are now and we want to finish it off."

Player ratings

Lloyd Irish – 6

The 'keeper could not have done anything to prevent either Hartley's goals – the first was in the top corner and the second deflected in with several defenders on the line.

That aside, Irish did not have to make any saves that couldn’t be described as anything other than regulation. Hartley had chances but the majority went off target rather than bothering the goalkeeper.

Shane White – 6

Hartley had plenty of joy down Taunton’s right in the first half, but much of that may have been down to the lack of protection in front of White rather than a particularly poor display by the man himself.

Improved after the break but could have done better going forward, passing up several presentable crossing opportunities.

Ed Palmer – 5

The centre-half made some important interceptions and blocks in the first half as the visitors poured forward but found himself out of position for the second goal after the break.

It wasn’t the first time in the match he stepped out of the back four and let the visitors in, and on that occasion he was punished. A mixed bag of a performance from the defender.

Ben Adelsbury - 5

The centre-half made a couple of superb blocks, one in each half, to prevent Town slipping further behind.

But he blotted his copybook with his two yellow cards, the first of which came after a needless scuffle with Michael Campbell, resulting in his picking the striker up in a rugby tackle. He’s an excellent defender and doesn’t need to get involved in incidents like that.

Lewis Hall – 5

A flat afternoon for the left-back, whose end product was lacking before he was substituted just after the hour.

Matt Buse – 5

An uncharacteristically quiet afternoon for Buse, who did not see a lot of the ball. Spooned a shot over in the first half.

Ollie Chamberlain – 6

No shortage of industry from the midfielder, who worked some good positions in wide areas, but his crosses were off the mark.

Crunched into tackles with his usual vigour but, on this occasion, his usual quality on the ball was lacking.

Ryan Brett – 5

Usually the man tasked with getting Taunton moving, Brett was typically comfortable in possession without providing the cutting edge he is capable of.

As with all the midfielders, he suffered from the ball going long too often and didn’t see too much of it as a result.

Matt Wright – 5

He battled hard and won plenty in the air but this wasn’t the skipper’s most effective performance.

Often feeding off scraps, he missed a fine chance with a header in the first half and needs a goal from somewhere to get his mojo back.

Dan Sullivan – 6

Showed glimpses of what he is capable of with his superbly taken equaliser which was passed into the top corner, just moments after a similarly skilful half-volley was blocked en route to the bottom corner.

But this was also a frustrating afternoon at times for Sullivan, who was occasionally sloppy in possession and was, perhaps, forced to play in wide areas more often than he would have liked for a player often more destructive down the middle.

Andrew Neal – 7

Town’s top scorer secured a point for his side with his customary goal from a penalty he had earned after a foul by the visiting goalkeeper.

He was busy throughout and looked the most likely to conjure something up in Taunton’s flat first half, but – as with Sullivan – was perhaps out wide too often.

Substitutes

Pierce Mitchell (for Hall, 64) – 5

The right-back did not get much chance to show himself at his rampaging best and was not as incisive with the ball as usual.

Carried out his defensive duties solidly.

Craig Veal (for Buse, 64) – 5

An attacking substitution with Town 2-1 down, Veal did not see much of the ball. Played down the middle, forcing Neal and Sullivan further wide, and the service to him was lacking.

Lucas Tomlinson (for Sullivan, 88) – N/A

A debut for the Bristol Rovers loanee but he had little chance to show what he can do. Will feature against Welton Rovers in the cup on Wednesday.