TAUNTON Town crashed to earth following their intense FA Cup match at Barrow, suffering a 5-2 defeat away to Salisbury FC.

A hat-trick for Justin Bennett and Lewis Benson's brace gave the hosts victory, despite Jordan Rogers netting two in the second half for the away side.

Boss Leigh Robinson made three changes from the 2-1 loss in Cumbria on Tuesday, bringing in Callum Martindale, Alex Hoyle and Craig Duff for Ryan Batley, Matt Villis and Jordan Rogers.

The Peacocks started brightly, winning several corners early on and forcing Benson to make a goal-line clearance, but fell behind after 15 minutes as Bennett headed in Tom Whelan's cross.

It was 2-0 just 10 minutes later, as Hoyle misjudged a backpass, allowing Benson to burst onto the ball and put it past Lloyd Irish.

Things only got worse for the visitors, Bennett tapping in for 3-0 on 32 minutes, and Benson grabbing his second in first-half injury time.

Ollie Chamberlain and Duff had sent free headers straight at the Salisbury keeper between those goals, which came as a most painful payback for profligacy.

Despite a 30-yard effort from Ed Palmer that was well saved, Town were unable to reduce the deficit until after the 65th-minute introduction of Matt Buse and Rogers for Owen Irish and Martindale.

On 71 minutes Matt Wright was pulled down in the box, giving Rogers a spot-kick opportunity, which he did not pass up.

Rogers got his second on 86 minutes, smashing in a belter from 30 yards.

But those goals were only ever likely to be consolation strikes, and Salisbury's Bennett underlined that fact by claiming his hat-trick in added time.

After two away matches and two defeats, Taunton will look to get back into their groove at home to Wimborne Town on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).