British Gas Business League Division One South and West: Slough Town 2, Taunton Town 2.

PAUL Short and Paul West, in charge for the first time since the departure of Ian Jones, oversaw a nervy relegation battle.

It was difficult to gauge whether it should be viewed a point gained or two dropped. Taunton had enough to chances to win the match twice over, but ultimately had to rely on a last gasp penalty to salvage a point.

Town had the first of several clear cut openings on nine minutes when Charlie Welch was left totally unmarked from Alex Pounde’s corner, but his header was beaten out.

Alexis Piper squandered three glorious chances before Pounde again set up Welch on the half hour, but the defender’s shot was well held by Jamie Jackson.

Against the run of play, Slough took the lead on 75 minutes when Danny Jordan stole in at the near post to glance home Tyrone Sealey’s cross from the left.

However, Taunton responded within two minutes, Nick McCootie – just on for Pounde – squeezing a low shot round the Slough defence and just inside the far corner.

All seemed lost for Taunton five minutes from time when Slough substitute Matthew Platt headed home a cross from the right.

However, Taunton were awarded a penalty a minute from the end of normal time for handball, and Twaine Plummer stepped up to confidently despatch his kick to Jamie Jackson’s left and become the third substitute to get his name on the scoresheet.

The final whistle brought mixed news from Taunton’s two rivals at the foot of the table. Winchester had hit two late goals to nick a point at Didcot, but Slough’s landlords Beaconsfield had done Taunton a massive favour by beating Bracknell. This relegation battle is going down to the wire.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Luke Cole, Charlie Welch, Danny Lane, Neil Bailey, Scott Thomas, Shaun Anthony (Ben Newby 83), John Harris (captain), Leon Simpson, Alexis Piper (Twayne Plummer 54), Alex Pounde (Nick McCootie 75). Unused sub: Dave Anthony. Att: 248.