Toolstation League Division 1: Minehead 1, Saltash Utd 2.

MINEHEAD completed their home fixture programme with yet another defeat at the Recreation Ground on Tuesday evening.

With the visitors taking a long time to settle after their long trip from Cornwall, the Blues took command from the kick-off and the speedy Brian Hall raced clear in the first minute only to shoot straight at the keeper.

Kevin Robinson then saw his header saved by young keeper Dan Anson before a mistake by a defender in the 11th minute allowed Hall to break clear to drive the ball into the roof of the net to give Minehead the lead.

The Saltash defence was looking very shaky and Hall outpaced the defenders on two further occasions.

On the first occasion he shot wide and on the second the keeper saved his fine attempt with a covering defender blocking his rebound effort.

Having played second fiddle throughout the first half, the Cornish men took complete control after the interval and, in the 48th minute, Daniel Gill missed a great chance to equalise when he shot over the bar from a few yards out following a free-kick.

With the Blues defence now struggling to contain the visitors, player-manager Steve Perkins brought down Matt Godfree inside the penalty box after 59 minutes and skipper Brian Jefferis drove the spot-kick beyond the reach of Anson for the equaliser.

Both sides were now eager to get the all-important winning goal and it finally arrived in the last few minutes when Saltash substitute Danny Zalick raced clear of the Minehead defence to score with a well placed low shot.

Minehead: D. Anson, S. Arnold, C. Yeates, S. Perkins, L. Nunn, D. Sowden, S. Lyons, L. Taylor, B. Hall, A. Deeks, C. Hodgson. Subs: G. Burns, A. Gubb, A. Giblett.