Emirates FA Cup

Second round qualifying 

Tiverton Town 3, Taunton Town 5

TAUNTON Town held off a second-half fightback from Tiverton Town to secure FA Cup progress on Saturday.

The Peacocks surged to a 4-1 lead at half-time, only to see their arch-rivals battle back to 4-3 after the break.

The visitors held on, though, and wrapped up the victory with a late penalty.

Dan Hayfield put Tiverton ahead after 20 minutes, but Dan Sullivan blasted in an equaliser just five minutes later.

Soon Taunton were ahead, as Toby Holmes headed in, before two goals in two minutes from Gethyn Hill and Jamie Short put them in total control of the tie at the half-time interval.

Tiverton were hardly going to throw in the towel against their derby rivals, though, as Alex Fletcher converted a penalty and Jordan Bastin scored to make it 4-3 with 20 minutes still to play.

The Peacocks held their nerve, and an 80th-minute penalty from substitute Owen Howe, after he himself had been fouled, killed off the comeback.

Taunton find out their third round qualifying opponents tomorrow (Monday), and return to league action on Tuesday, at home to Salisbury.