Both teams kept their unbeaten runs going in a game of three penalties and a wonder strike. Toby Holmes opened the scoring with the first penalty after 29 minutes; Feltham equalised from the spot shortly after the break; Will Fletcher scored the goal of the game from the corner of the penalty box with two minutes of normal time remaining to restore the lead; only for Wimborne to be denied all three points by a penalty by Rice in the 9th minute of the seven added-on at the end of the game.

Manager Sills made three changes to his starting line-up bringing in Matty Burrows, Matt Neale and Toby Holmes.

Taunton’s unbeaten six-game run had lifted them not only to the top of the current form stats, but also to 7th in the league table. And on a deceptively cold afternoon, and on a decent flat-looking surface, The Peacocks started confidently. Left-back Bennett’s long throw-ins were a regular feature of the hosts’ attack; his first of the game on four minutes was headed onto the top of Ross Flitney’s cross-bar and behind. Wimborne’s first attacking foray came on 10 minutes: Toby Holmes pinched the ball off his marker and earned a corner; Josh Carmichael’s shot was blocked before Jez Bedford’s well-struck effort was punched away by the diving Gould.

Sam Roberts showed good strength to shepherd a through ball behind; Fitney was booked for his challenge outside the area then saved the resultant grubber free-kick from Brain. At the other end Matty Burrows tricked his way along the right by-line to win a corner; Matt Neale’s delivery was headed goalwards by Sam Jackson only to be cleared off the line. Just after the mid-point of the half Carmichael’s cross was controlled at the far post by Holmes to place the ball inside the post but it was ruled out for offside. But in Wimborne’s next attack they did score. Harvey Wright launched a throw-in from the right into the penalty box and as players jumped a defender’s arm clearly made contact with the ball; Holmes duly dispatched the spot-kick.

On 33 minutes Burrows and Holmes counter-attacked at pace after another of Bennett’s long throws was cleared by the head of Neale, but the winger’s through ball was cut out. The Peacocks endeavoured to turn their midfield possession into chances but The Magpies backline was in commanding and uncompromising form: Wright headed clear, Billy Walker blocked a shot, Roberts won a tackle, Jackson intercepted, Scorey disrupted – and repeat.

Wright continued in the same vein after the break with an interception, a strong tackle, and a long leg to stop attacks. But the defence was undone on 52 minutes when Nielsen’s run along the left by-line was ended illegally; Feltham rifled the penalty into the net.

Walker timed a tackle to perfection as he retrieved a poorly placed back-pass; Wright intercepted then charged forwards; Walker bravely cleared under a strong challenge as Taunton built pressure. The visitors weathered the storm, and looked dangerous when they attacked: Carmichael audaciously tried his luck from distance; Burrows’ shot was saved by the flying ‘keeper; Roberts picked out the winger with the pass of the game; Harry Morgan’s instant shot forced a save from Gould; Wright twice crossed into the area from the right; and Burrows’ volley from Owen Roundell’s throw was deflected for a corner.

Then, on 88 minutes, Wimborne re-took the lead. Will Fletcher controlled the ball to the left of the penalty area, made space for himself, turned and let rip from the corner of the penalty box. His sweetly struck shot flew into the far corner. A contender for goal of the month, no – make that a contender for goal of the season – look out for this one on the VEO highlights, it was an absolute corker!

But the drama wasn’t over. There was a collective groan and surprised look among visiting supporters when seven additional minutes were shown. That time had passed on the Taunton media laptop timer next to your reporter when a final Taunton attack ended with a coming together centrally just inside the box. Referee Cornelius immediately pointed to the spot. And in the 99th minute Rice coolly blasted the spot-kick into the net. There was just time for the game to re-start before the final whistle.

Given Wimborne’s away record this season, a point at Taunton, and four points won from a team who played in National South last season, is a very good result. But how close Tim’s magnificent Magpies came to making this a great result. To a man they gave everything, but the performance of that backline was exceptional. Your reporter’s man-of-the-match – Harvey Wright.

Wimborne: Flitney, Wright, Walker, Roberts, Jackson, Scorey, Carmichael (Roundell 74), Neale (Morgan 71), Bedford (Lovell 46), Burrows, Holmes (Fletcher 55)     Unused sub: Munn 

Attendance: 791

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