The Peacocks’ wait for their first win of the Southern League season continues after an early second half goal condemned them to defeat in sunny Berkshire.

After the disappointing midweek display at Poole, manager Richard Luffman rang the changes, with David Duru, Charlie Dashfield and Tiago Sa all brought in for their first starts of the campaign. And it was Dashfield who fired an early attempt over the top after an Ollie Woodhouse long throw had been nodded down as the visitors enjoyed a decent start down the Bulpit Lane slope.

Hungerford soon responded, having a handball appeal dismissed and then a flurry of two long throws into the box and a corner ending with Taunton keeper Adam Parkes diving to safely claim Zidan Akers’ header.

The Peacocks were close to snatching the lead on 17 minutes when an Eddie Jones cross from the right found Archie Ferris and his header was creeping in until Crusaders’ shotstopper Ryan Clarke fingertipped it onto the bar and over.

The resultant corner played short to Jones, then saw Jake Hodgson plant a header over while Toby Down glanced another effort wide of the target from Sa’s corner as Town continued to search for the net.

Hungerford were similarly unsuccessful, James Dobson’s header going wide whilst no home shirt could get a touch on Rhys Tyler’s delivery across the box. Taunton skipper Smith had a clear sight of goal but blasted over before he was inches away from connecting with Jones’ low cross as the opening 45 ended in stalemate.

The landscape soon changed three minutes after the resumption as Hungerford grabbed the lead, Taunton sloppily losing possession on the left allowing Dobson to cross and find Louis McGrory who set up Elis Watts to beat Parkes at his near post.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, the hosts threatened again, McGrory finding Brad Hooper who rounded Parkes but ran out of space and Watts’ ensuing effort being blocked as the ball ran loose. The Peacocks meanwhile remained frustrated in front of goal despite carving out several opportunities.

A Hodgson header flew wide while Clarke held shots from Ferris and Evander Grubb before another sub Olly Sully raised hopes when he seized on a backpass to round the keeper who recovered well to retrieve the ball.

Having used all five subs in an effort to unlock the door, Town were nearly undone further in the final minutes after home breakaways.

Jacob Bancroft firstly finding McGrory whose strike was touched onto the bar by Parkes and then the Peacocks’ keeper doing well to foil James Harding after he had been played in by Hooper.

The single goal proved enough though for Hungerford to secure a second home win on the bounce while the Peacocks can reflect on a better performance although still falling short. They now focus on a return home next weekend and hopefully that elusive three points.