Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division South

Taunton Town 4, Wimborne Town 2

TAUNTON Town scored four second half goals to see off a useful Wimborne Town side and move to within a point of the top two sides in the division.

Trailing at half-time to a well-taken goal by Curtis Young, the Peacocks got into their stride after the break and strikes from Ryan Brett, Dan Sullivan, Craig Veal and Matt Wright made the points safe before Jack Lovell's late consolation.

AS IT HAPPENED: Peacocks battle back to claim three points

The Peacocks lined up with three at the back - handing a home debut to the returning Ed Palmer - but missed the energy of the injured Ollie Chamberlain in midfield during a lacklustre first period.

Wimborne defended stoutly early on and took the lead on 12 minutes when Young turned sharply and found the corner with a low strike from the edge of the box.

Wright had a couple of chances to equalise shortly afterwards but snatched at both, while Franklyn Clarke curled over when well-placed for Wimborne in what was an open game.

Taunton's closest effort of the half came from its final action, as Veal smashed a shot against the angle of post and bar to leave the hosts trailing at the interval.

The Peacocks had to be patient and, after a slightly sloppy start to the second half, got back on terms in style.

Sullivan's neat flick released Brett, who strode into the box and calmly slotted past Gerard Benfield to restore parity.

The same pair combined just three minutes later as Town turned the game on its head, Sullivan tapping home the rebound after Brett's thunderbolt had been parried on to the bar by Benfield.

Visibly lifted by the turnaround, the Peacocks remained on the front foot and Wright saw a downward header tipped over after fine work down the right by Pierce Mitchell.

Taunton then made the points safe with another quickfire double later in the half, as Veal turned home Wright's low cross to make it three before the skipper fired through a crowd of bodies to add a fourth with 13 minutes to play.

Substitute Lovell scored with his first touch to reduce the arrears with six minutes remaining, ensuring there were six goals in this fixture for the second season in succession.

Unlike last season's 3-3 draw, however, this one had a winner - and it was three points Taunton deserved on the basis of their powerful second half display.

Next up for Taunton is the visit of Walton Casuals on Wednesday - they will welcome back striker and top scorer Andrew 'Rocky' Neal from suspension, while head of football Rob Dray is also confident Chamberlain will be fit enough to feature.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Lewis Hall (Keith Emmerson), Ben Adelsbury, Ed Palmer, Matt Buse, Shane White, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan, Craig Veal (Harry Gardner 82)

Attendance: 489