CRESTFALLEN Dave Webb was struck down by the bitter sting of dejection as his Swindon Supermarine side were once again left to come to terms with the heartbreak of play-off disappointment last night.

Marine tackled a third Southern League Division One South & West play-off semi-final in the space of four years as they travelled to Taunton Town but like when they locked horns with Merthyr Town in 2013 and 2014, Webb’s men had their promotion dreams dashed.

Josh Parsons’ early strike had Marine simmering in Somerset but their dominance was turned on its head as Brett Trowbridge and Lewis Powell struck second-half goals to complete an unlikely smash-and-grab 2-1 victory for the Peacocks.

“It’s hard to take. I thought we would do the business – I was confident we’d do that and for long periods, it looked like we would,” said manager Webb.

“Unfortunately, again, we’ve just fallen short.

“Three defeats in four seasons; it doesn’t get any easier.

“I thought we managed the game brilliantly in the first half but probably needed that second goal, which we didn’t get and ultimately, it’s cost us.

“We’ve played well at times and dominated for long periods but you have to take your chances.

“It’s probably been our Achilles’ heel all season; we’ve not scored when we’ve been in the ascendancy.

“We’re all disappointed and we’ve just got to try and regroup and get things into perspective, I suppose.

“Thanks to my players. They’ve been magnificent all season and they’ve given it a right good go, and I’m not disappointed for me – I’m disappointed for the football club and the players.

“The only way you don’t get in the play-offs is to win it, so that’s probably what we’ve got to aim to try to do next time.

“We’ve got good players here and people will look at our players but hopefully, they want to stay together and we have to have another go.”