SWINDON Supermarine were left to rue a poor first half performance as their unbeaten league run was brought to an end in a 3-2 defeat to Taunton Town.

Dave Webb’s men welcomed the Southern League West leaders to the Webbswood Stadium determined to protect their fine record this term.

However, a limp opening 45 minutes meant that the Peacocks were strutting their stuff at half-time courtesy of a 2-0 lead.

But Marine came out firing in the second half and were level within nine minutes of the restart before Taunton grabbed all three points and inflicted the hosts’ first league defeat of the campaign.

The hosts were dealt an early blow when they lost full-back Jon Else in the opening five minutes with a foot injury.

The Somerset men dominated play at Marine in the first half and broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Matt Wright ghosted in to head home a corner from Shane White.

Taunton doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Ollie Chamberlain lifted the ball over the on-rushing Josh Hill before heading the ball into an empty net.

After the break, Marine took the game to their visitors and found themselves back on level term within nine minute.

The hosts’ first goal came when Joe Selman attacked the Taunton area only to be tripped by Ross Staley leaving the referee little option but to point to the spot which Brad Hooper drilled home in the 49th minute.

Five minutes later, Webb’s side found themselves on level terms when Ryan Campbell played the ball into the danger area and TJ Bohane tucked the ball away.

Taunton bagged the winning goal 23 minutes when time when Peirce Mitchell played the ball into the box and the impressive Dan Sullivan ran in unmarked to find the net.

“It is really disappointing to lose the game,” Webb said. “The first half we were so deep it was ridiculous.

“We played right into their hands. They are a big strong physical side, their number nine (Matt White) is a handful. We defended far too deep and allowed him to totally dominate us.

“They were worthy 2-0 leaders at half-time. We changed things around a bit at the break and I thought that we were much better in the second-half.

“I thought that we dominated them and got right back in the game, got two goals back and I thought it was there for the taking.

“But we have not defended well enough for the third goal – it was far too easy. That was the key goal.

“It is disappointing to lose, you are always disappointed to lose but I think we can take heart from the second half performance.

“We do have to learn from what we did in the first half which was nowhere near where we want to be.

“They are top of the league for a reason and now we have to start another little run next Saturday against Wimborne.”