British Gas Business League Division 1 (S&W): Taunton Town 1, Bishops Cleeve 0.

TAUNTON Town ended a seven-match losing run as Matt Rawlins’ goal gave them victory against fellow strugglers Bishops Cleeve at Wordsworth Drive last night (Wednesday).

Rawlins headed home just after the break to give the side only their second league win of the season, although they remain second from bottom.

However, the win was witnessed by just 87 – Taunton’s poorest gate for many years – although England’s World Cup qualifier against Belarus is likely to have had an effect.

The Peacocks can consider themselves fortunate to have been level at half-time as the Gloucestershire visitors spurned a couple of golden chances.

Twice they were through one-on-one with Taunton’s keeper Simon Cooper, and on both occasions he saved with his legs. On 25 minutes, early substitute Richard Mansell pulled the ball across to James Vercesi but his goal-bound shot was blocked by Cooper and the ball dropped just over the bar.

Town’s former Team Bath stopper then repeated the feat five minutes later from Ben Gascoyne.

However, Cooper had almost gifted Cleeve the lead inside the opening minute when he fluffed a clearance straight to Vercesi, but Taunton scrambled the ball away.

The closest the hosts came in the first half was when Alex Pounde flashed a volley just wide from the edge of the area.

Manager Ian Jones’ half-time team talk seemed to do the trick as Taunton were far more threatening after the interval and the breakthrough arrived just two minutes into the half.

Sam Jones’ free-kick was only headed half away and Scott Thomas, returning to the side after injury, lifted the ball to the far post where Rawlins was waiting, unmarked, to head past Sam Gilder.

The lead should have been doubled three minutes later as the industrious Pounde – involved in most of Taunton’s best moments – latched onto a poor clearance and squared to Charlie Welch who lifted the ball over Gilder and the bar.

Just before the hour mark, Pounde crossed to far but Danny Lane’s header was blocked on the line by a defender.

Taunton had to throw themselves in front of a few shots towards the end as Cleeve pushed forward, but Cooper was largely untroubled, and Jones’ men held out for a precious victory.

Taunton: Simon Cooper, Jason Burt, Charlie Welch, Jamie Price (capt), Lee Bridson, Scott Thomas, Danny Lane, John Harris, Alex Pounde, Matt Rawlins, Sam Jones. Subs not used: Dave Anthony, Ben Newby, Rob Sage, Ben Swallow, Ian Jones.

Taunton are now without a game until Saturday, October 25 when they visit Didcot Town.