ROB Dray bemoaned "avoidable goals" as his Taunton Town side exited the FA Trophy away to Aveley on Monday night.

The teams drew 3-3 in Taunton on Saturday, and goals from Alex Akofri and Jason Raad secured a 2-1 victory for Aveley in the replay, with Jack Rice-Lethaby netting the Peacocks' late consolation.

Head of football Dray said: "They're a good side, with good players, and their goalkeeper [David Hughes] was outstanding – he'll get picked up by a club higher up I think.

"But too many of the goals [Taunton conceded] were avoidable.

"We scored three good goals at home [on Saturday], which should have been enough.

"A Monday night replay lowers the odds, and they play their home pitch well.

"There are things we can do better, but they were impressive out of possession, very compact, so I take my hat off to them."

He added: "There are no excuses, but it [the long trip to Essex] did make a difference.

"The quick turnaround was tough.

"I was in bed at 4.30am and the Plymouth lads at 5.30am; the players showed massive commitment."

The Peacocks will look to bounce back at home to Blackfield & Langley on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Dray said: "The match being on a Monday does give us time to get bodies right, and we go again.

"We've got to get the negativity out of our system; we lost the club a few quid, but we didn't lose any league points."