Taunton Town suffered a surprise 3-0 away defeat at Larkhall Athletic in the EVO-STIK League Southern Division One South & West on Saturday, shattering their outside chance of nicking the title from Hereford, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
It all went wrong for Taunton when they had centre-back Owen Irish sent-off just before half-time. Larkhall, beaten 10-2 at Taunton earlier this season, took advantage of the extra man to score three times in the second half through Joe Raynes with two and Greg Peel.Taunton remain second but third-placed Tiverton Town have reduced the gap between the sides to two points after they beat fourth-placed Salisbury at Ladysmead in front of a crowd of 322.
Jamie Price gave Tivvy the boost of an early first-minute lead that he eventually doubled with 17 minutes remaining.
The runaway Bulls won 4-1 at Edgar Street against North Leigh to take another step towards the title, another great crowd of 2,474 seeing the visitors take a shock third minute lead through Matt Sysum.
But the home side weren`t behind for long as top scorer John Mills levelled seven minutes later. Mark Preece then gave the Bulls an interval lead with a 42nd minute second before second half goals from Pablo Haysham and a late Tristan Plummer penalty sealed a comfortable afternoon`s work for Peter Beadle`s side.
Evesham United maintained fifth spot after a 2-0 win at Bishops Cleeve, Mark Magee three minutes after half-time and then Adam Mann 15 minutes from time the United scorers.
Swindon Supermarine and Mangotsfield United still have chances of a top five spot with wins on Saturday leaving them five and six points respectively behind Evesham.
Supermarine won 4-1 at the WebbsWood Stadium against a Bideford AFC side who hadn`t lost in nine games.
They came back from a 15th minute Ben Watson goal down to win thanks to Brad Hooper`s penalty after 32 minutes, a Josh Parsons brace in the 37th and 84th minutes and Ryan Campbell two minutes later.
The Mangos won 1-0 at third-bottom AFC Totton, courtesy of a 63rd minute Liam Monelle effort while Bridgwater Town are all-but doomed after losing 1-0 at second-bottom Wantage Town.
They were left 21 points behind AFC Totton with only 21 on offer now after Todd Hatherway`s 39th minute goal proved decisive for the Alfredians, who are still 14 points adrift themselves.
Elsewhere, Will Morford bagged a brace in the 73rd and 83rd minutes – the second from the spot – as Shortwood United won 2-1 at Wimborne Town, for whom Billy Maybury had given them an 18th minute lead.
Slimbridge`s Lee Smith was another two-goal man as his 32nd and 76th minute strikes saw off Paulton Rovers 2-0 at home while James Blake`s spot-kick and Lee Francis 10 minutes from time proved enough for Barnstaple Town in a 2-1 win at home to Didcot Town despite Adam Learoyd's reply 20 minutes from time.