British Gas Business League Division One South and West: Burnham 3, Taunton Town 3.

RELEGATION-threatened Taunton Town dropped two crucial points as they let a 3-0 lead slip at Burnham on Tuesday night.

Two goals from Ali Pounde and one by Shaun Anthony fired the Peacocks into a, seemingly, unassailable lead just after the break.

However, the hosts fought back for a point, levelling matters with a last-minute penalty.

Taunton raced out of the blocks and it was no surprise when they went in front on 26 minutes.

Twaine Plummer picked out Pounde with an accurate centre from the right and he tucked ball inside the near post with an instinctive finish on the run.

Three minutes later, Plummer cut the ball back to Shaun Anthony, steaming in from left, and he buried an excellent right-footed finish.

Town keeper Lloyd Irish made a superb save low down from a Gavin James header just before the break to maintan his team’s lead.

And they added to it seven minutes into the second half when Shaun Anthony won a strong tackle in midfield and released Leon Simpson. He rounded the keeper and squared to Pounde who rolled the ball into an empty net.

The comeback began straight after as an unmarked James headed in Jeff Brown’s cross from the right.

However, on 66 minutes, ex-Didcot Town midfielder Richard Witt was dismissed following a fare-up with Owen Irish.

Nevertheless, the ten men made it 3-2 when a mix-up between Lloyd Irish and Scott Thomas allowed big striker Leon Yarnie to steals in.

Five minutes from time, substitute Nick McCootie, who had been on the pitch just six minutes, was shown a red card – Taunton’s ninth of the season – for a tackle on Carl Garstang.

And, in the final minutes, matters got worse as Dave Anthony chopped down Burnham captain Ryan Bird and substitute Glen Harris tucked the penalty away.

Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Neil Bailey, Dave Anthony, Shaun Anthony (Nick McCootie 79 mins), Owen Irish, Scott Thomas (capt), Danny Lane, Luke Cole, Alex Pounde, Leon Simpson, Twaine Plummer (James Edwards 75). Subs not used: Darren Grabham, Ben Newby, Shaun Smith.