Taunton Town lost 2-1 at Yate Town in the Evo-Stik Southern league yesterday after a weather enforced ten day break that had seen their previous two matches postponed, writes James Wright.

The Peacocks introduced two debutants, goalkeeper Grant Fisher and striker Shane Kingston who both return after earlier spells at the club.

They endured a torrid opening but slowly warmed to the task on a heavy surface that was only passed fit on the morning of the match. Craig Herrod, Rodney Marsh and Alex Jeannin all had half chances.

Scott Wilson spurned a number of good openings for the home side whose best chance fell to Mike Bryant just before the interval, but the centre-back headed over when left unmarked at a corner.

Bryant was not to be denied for long however. Shortly after the break he finished coolly at the far post after a blocked Wilson volley eventually ricocheted invitingly to his feet. Wilson himself then got on the score sheet almost immediately afterwards, finishing off a tidy move down the left flank.

Raith Plant came on for Marsh and soon pulled a good save out of Josh Dempsey. Then, with twenty minutes left to play, captain Simon Ingram hauled Taunton back into the match with a deflected shot from the left.

Dempsey was injured in the move that led to Taunton's goal and eventually had to be replaced between the sticks by defender Tom Warren. But the visitors were unable to test the stand-in shot-stopper and slipped to a third consecutive defeat that leaves them perilously just two points ahead of bottom team Bishops Cleeve.

Taunton: Grant Fisher, Ben Mammola, Alex Jeannin (Tom Hopkins 85), Owen Irish, Ben Gerring, Scott Rogers, Nat Pepperell (Khaled Badavi 29), Simon Ingram (captain), Shane Kingston, Rodney Marsh (Raith Plant 59), Craig Herrod.

Yate: Josh Dempsey (Scott Thomas 77), Tom Warren, Jake Cox, Tom Seery, Mike Bryant, Geraint Bater, Matt Groves, Edd Vahid (captain), Mitchell Page, Scott Wilson, Danny Wring (Harley Purnell 87). Unused subs: Michael Meaker,Ollie Barnes, Ibu Sarr.

Referee: Ian Douglas (Thatcham).

Assistants: John Graham (Swindon). Graham Pearce (Melksham).

Attendance: 208.