Evo-Stik Southern League West
Larkhall Athletic 2, Taunton Town 3

TAUNTON Town maintained their four-point lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Southern League West table after holding off a Larkhall Athletic fightback on Saturday.

Goals from Pierce Mitchell, Chris McGrath and Dan Sullivan gave the Peacocks a three-goal lead, and they took the points despite George King and Matt Britton hitting back for the hosts.

Manager Leigh Robinson brought Omar Simpson into the team at the expense of Ollie Chamberlain, with Matt Buse dropping into midfield alongside Ryan Brett, while Ben Palmer stayed at left wing-back with Ross Staley having picked up a knee injury on Tuesday.

The home side made the brighter start, but it was Town who broke the deadlock on nine minutes, as Palmer's cross found Mitchell lurking at the back post to slot home.

Brett and Ben Adelsbury saw further efforts go narrowly wide, in what was a well-contested first half.

The second period was only three minutes old when the away side doubled their lead, as Brett's right-wing corner was met by the head of centre-back McGrath.

Sullivan then appeared to have killed the match as a contest in the 54th minute, as he jinked through and found the net with aplomb.

King pulled one back on 65 minutes and Britton another, from a corner on 83 minutes, which meant a nervy finish for the Peacocks.

But they held firm to take the points, which means they stay four points clear of Bristol Manor Farm, who won 3-1 at Yate Town.

Winchester City are now third, a further two points back, after they beat Evesham United 2-0 and Bideford's match at Salisbury was abandoned for players fighting.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Ben Palmer, Shane White, Chris McGrath, Ben Adelsbury (Brett Trowbridge 56), Matt Buse, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan, Omar Simpson (Les Afful 66).
Subs not used: Tom Stone, Ollie Chamberlain, Michael Meaker.