SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: MELKSHAM Town suffered their first defeat in three matches as Taunton Town continued their push for promotion at The Conigre on Saturday.

Robbie Lardner's side provided their high-flying hosts a real test of their promotion credentials but paid the price for some slack finishing, with Nick Tiley seeing a second half penalty saved.

Last season's FA Vase champions grabbed the initiative in fortuitous circumstances just before the half hour mark, when Mark Gammon's cross foxed goalkeeper Darren Chitty and sailed into the net.

Visiting goalkeeper Ryan Draper produced a fine save to keep out a Justin Messenger free kick four minutes later, before Taunton doubled their lead 14 minutes into the second half.

Gammon was again at the heart of the move and, when his cross was only partially cleared by Chitty, Peter Knox was on hand to rifle the ball home from close range.

Darren Hawkins' foul on Matty Messenger gave the home side a lifeline, but winger Tiley failed to take advantage from the spot as Draper was equal to his tame kick.

Taunton wrapped up the points on 84 minutes when substitute Lee Groves capitalised on a defensive mix-up to score from six yards.

Melksham player-manager Lardner felt things would have been very different had his players found their shooting boots.

He said: "We won 3-0 against Dawlish the week before and that flattered us, whereas on Saturday we lost 3-0 and that flattered Taunton.

"That's how fickle football can be. We didn't take our chances and ended up losing 3-0.

"I think Taunton deserved to win it overall, but it was a far tighter match than the scoreline suggests. The penalty miss just typified our day."

But Lardner was pleased with the effort shown by his players, despite the final scoreline.

He said: "We gave them a run for their money. We gave our all and, if we do that every week, then I can't really complain."