SWINDON Supermarine’s promotion dreams came to an agonising end as they were humbled by an unlikely Taunton Town comeback in the Southern League Division One South & West play-offs tonight.

Dave Webb’s side were imperious in the first period in Somerset and led comfortably as the Peacocks struggled to impose themselves but two second-half goals saw Taunton book their place in Bank Holiday Monday’s final against Banbury United, leaving Marine to contemplate another campaign in the same division.

Due to standing water on the Viridor Stadium pitch, kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes but once the action got under way, it took just four minutes for the visitors to take the lead, with the wet turf playing a part.

Connor Thompson cut in from the right flank and the ball was eventually worked to Josh Parsons, who turned and let fly, with his low effort beating Peacocks goalie Lloyd Irish at his near post as it fizzed into the net to hand Marine a dream start.

Webb’s men started like a house on fire as they stroked the ball around beautifully and in the 11th minute, Josh Morse chipped an effort towards the top corner but the Taunton goalie gathered.

Despite Marine’s early dominance, the Peacocks almost snaffled an equaliser out of nothing with 23 minutes on the clock when Jordan Rogers struck a dipping half-volley that had Harvey Rivers scrambling as it brushed the outside of the side-netting.

But Taunton continued to look ruffled and a loose pass at the back, which was seized upon by Bradley Gray, almost allowed Morse to feed Parsons for what would have been a tap-in.

Parsons looped a header onto the roof of the net six minutes before the break whilst Sam Morris volleyed wide after a cleared Ryan Morgan ball dropped into his path but Webb’s side were unable to add to their early opener before the break, with the hosts’ Rogers curling not far over the bar late in the first half.

There was seemingly no change to the flow of the game after the restart, with Parsons sliding a through ball into the path of Gray but his low shot was easy for Lloyd Irish to snuff out.

However, the Peacocks’ Ben Carter looked to finally wake his side from their slumber as he won the ball from Gray with a sublime sliding challenge before then regaining the ball in a shooting position but the full-back screwed his attempt well wide.

And just past the hour-mark, Carter did play a part in getting his team a leveller.

The wet pitch contributed as Morgan attempted to slide in on Jamie Short but got caught in the standing water, missing the ball altogether and allowing Taunton to work their way onto the edge of the Marine area.

Carter’s strike was deflected but the ball was worked to Brett Trowbridge at the far post and the Peacocks midfielder toe-poked home to make it 1-1.

With the tie finally a contest, Owen Irish headed narrowly wide from a corner as Taunton searched for a winner and five minutes from time, they completed an unlikely turnaround.

The home side broke down the right flank from their own goal-kick and Rogers drove into the box before crossing low for former Chippenham Town man Lewis Powell to stroke home and break Marine hearts.

Morgan headed narrowly wide from an added-time corner but there was to be no fairytale ending and no reward for the men from the Webb's Wood Stadium.

SWINDON SUPERMARINE: Harvey Rivers, Marcus Johnson-Schuster, Ryan Morgan, Ash Taylor, Ross Adams, Sam Morris (Joe Shepherd 78), Connor Thompson (Connor Waldon 78), Chris Taylor (C), Bradley Gray, Josh Parsons, Josh Morse.

Subs not used: Ryan Stanners, Tyron Leigh, Matt Bulman.

Attendance: 506