BGB League Division 1 (S&W): Bridgwater Town 1, Taunton Town 2.

TAUNTON Town produced an excellent display to record a morale-boosting victory at local rivals Bridgwater Town.

The Peacocks, struggling near the foot of the table, showed bags of grit and determination and throughly deserved to defeat their play-off chasing hosts. Goals from new-signings Owen Irish and Twaine Plummer handed them the points but there were a number of fine displays.

Keeper Lloyd Irish, brother of Owen, was in excellent and Scott Thomas, back after suspension, was a rock at the back.

It also gave Taunton revenge for their 4-3 defeat at Fairfax Park in the League Cup.

The visitors were first into their stride and almost went in front after ten minutes when Plummer pounced on a poor back pass but his chip was just tipped onto the crossbar by keeper Tom Manley.

Adnan Hiroli and Dan Forward went close for Bridgwater as they began to find their feet, but it was Taunton who broke the deadlock after 35 minutes.

Alex Pounde sent over a great cross and defender Owen Irish headed past Manley.

However, the hosts hit back just three minutes later when Dan Forward latched on to Brett Trowbridge’s shot and beat Lloyd Irish.

That goal seemed to swing the momentum Bridgwater’s way and ex-Bishops Lydeard player Graham Mercieca had a header cleared off the line just before the interval.

They had a couple more opportunities after the re-start but Taunton regained the lead on the hour mark when the diminutive Plummer stole in to head Charlie Welch’s free kick in.

Danny Lane almost extended the advantage soon after as Taunton regained the initiative, but his volley flew wide.

Bridgwater probed in search of an equaliser and Lloyd Irish blocked well from Ben Swallow but Taunton’s back line remain solid.

Lane had another effort stopped in the line by a defender at the end as Taunton played out time for a vital win.

It was all the more important as bottom side Winchester secured a surprise 3-1 at home to Abingdon.

The game was watched by 500 – more than double the next highest attendance in the division that day.

Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Owen Irish, Charlie Welch, Ben Newby (70mins), Sam Jones, Scott Tomas (capt), Danny Lane, John Harris, Alex Pounde, Leon Simpson, Twaine Plummer. Subs not used: Shaun Anthony, Shaun Smith, Ian Jones. Att: 500.