Taunton Town successfully negotiated what should be – weather and cup draws permitting – the last long midweek trip of the season (writes James Wright).

Tuesday night’s Zamaretto League Division One South and West clash at Cinderford saw Taunton first to threaten when Alexis Piper forced Ben John into a low save, but Cinderford gradually began to come into the game.

When the visitors failed to clear their lines properly midway through the first half, Chris Astley – who had arrived just before kick-off after being delayed at work – had to be at his sharpest to sprawl to deny home captain Sam O’Sullivan.

The home side continued to enjoy territorial advantage as the half progressed, and on the half hour O’Sullivan saw another good shot deflected just wide.

Cinderford were still on top after the turn-around, and spurned a glorious opportunity to open the scoring when Josh Brown air-kicked in front of goal at the end of a slick move.

Taunton rallied and took the lead just after the hour mark. Keeper John bundled over Piper, and the striker got to his feet to stroke home a low penalty.

Seven minutes later, Piper doubled the advantage with a thirty yard stunner, but Taunton immediately put themselves back under pressure when Ross MacNab was dismissed for a second bookable foul.

The final quarter was a desperate backs-to-the-wall battle for Paul West’s men.

Astley saved brilliantly from Lewis Sommers, and Leon Jeanne rattled a post, before defender Warren Archer, with a close range header, eventually got the home team off the mark two minutes from time.

In a breath-taking finale, Cinderford again hit the woodwork and Astley again denied Sommers as Taunton just held on for the points.

Taunton: Chris Astley, George Painter, Phil Veal, Luke Cole, Tim Legg, Jon Vance, Andy Butler (captain), Ross MacNab, Alexis Piper, Rodney Marsh (Jamie Short 47), Darren Rice. Unused subs: Corey Lewis, James Blake, Connor Sidley-Adams.