British Gas Business League Division 1 (S&W): Taunton Town 0, Cinderford Town 2.

AFTER the recent encouraging displays against Bridgwater, Abingdon United and Winchester, Taunton turned in a lacklustre performance last Saturday and slumped back into the relegation zone as both AFC Hayes and Bishops Cleeve picked up points.

With Scott Thomas serving the first of two suspensions following his recent sendings-off, and Leon Taswell unavailable, Dave Anthony and Sam Jones returned to the starting line-up, the latter in an unaccustomed centre-back slot.

Before Taunton had time to settle, they were behind. Following a goalmouth scramble striker Jody Bevan was presented with the sort of close-range opportunity he has been lapping up for many seasons now.

After eight minutes Bevan was in on goal again only to be denied by a superb challenge by Charlie Welch, and Simon Truman cracked a shot against the crossbar as the Peacocks struggled to cope with a bigger and more experienced side.

Just before the half-hour mark, Bevan latched on to a huge punt from Matt Bath, and drilled a shot just wide of Simon Cooper’s far post.

Although generally under the cosh, Taunton pieced together some tidy moves. Danny Lane went close and, with the best move of the half on 32 minutes, John Harris fed Jamie Price on the right. Leon Simpson controlled the captain’s cross, but his shot on the turn was just over.

Taunton began the second half brightly, but the game was effectively killed off on 58 minutes when Cooper was sold short with a back-pass and Lewis Sommers was able to waltz round him and score with ease.

The home side toiled hard. Price saw an excellent volley flash just wide on 71 minutes and shortly afterwards sub Rob Sage – just on for Anthony – was guilty of a glaring miss.

Former Taunton right-back Kris Witcombe, booked for following through on Cooper in the first half, received a second yellow for kicking the ball away after 88 minutes.

The dismissal came too late to affect the outcome, and the victory, coupled with Truro’s shock defeat against Beaconsfield, sent Cinderford to the top of the table.

Taunton: Simon Cooper, Ben Newby, Charlie Welch, Jamie Price (captain), Lee Bridson, Dave Anthony (Rob Sage 67), Danny Lane, John Harris, Alex Pounde, Leon Simpson (Jason Burt 76), Sam Jones. Unused sub: Ian Jones. Att: 146.