AFC TOTTON didn’t quite possess the finishing prowess to bring home at least a share of the points from second-placed Taunton.

But with the remainder of the Southern One South & West’s top four to play in their next three games, the Stags took plenty of positives from their 2-1 defeat in Somerset.

“Taunton have been winning games by the odd goal and that was the case again, but we competed really well,” said Totton boss Steve Riley.

“We had lots of energy and we looked the fitter side. There were times when we had five on three going forward, but we just lacked that bit of quality in the final third.

“Taunton are nicking points and that’s what good sides do, but their manager (Leigh Robinson) said to me afterwards that we deserved something out of the game.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow because we played ever so well. We showed character, we were organised, we competed and we probably shaded possession after Taunton had started the better team.

“We’ve got (third-placed) Evesham at home on Saturday and we just need to lift our head and keep this same spirit.”

Taunton bossed the opening stages at the Viridor Stadium, determined to make amends for the previous week’s 2-1 defeat at league leaders Merthyr which had ended their 15-game unbeaten run.

Ex-Saints Academy ’keeper Steve Mowthorpe came to Totton’s rescue on several occasions, but was beaten on ten minutes after palming away Jamie Short’s drive at his near post.

As the ball came back into the box, Aaron Ward-Baptiste’s effort was blocked on the line before Jamie Price forced it over.

With nine minutes of the first half remaining, Totton drew level. Fit-again Mike Gosney and new signing Jack Hoey were involved in the build-up and Billy Lowes found time and space to send a deflected shot over ’keeper Lloyd Irish from the edge of the area.

Totton could have had another but Gosney dipped a drive narrowly over and Craig Feeney nicked an effort past the ’keeper and just wide of the post before Taunton regained the initiative.

The Stags had a lucky escape when Peacocks skipper Steve Kingdon crashed a header off the bar from a corner, but there was no escape for the visitors in the 83rd minute.

Another Short corner was retrieved by Steve Murray on the left and, from his lay-off, Kingdon rocketed the ball home from 16 yards.

Zac Mouland shaved the post as Totton went desperately close to an equaliser, but it was not to be.

Admitting the Stags could have done more to prevent Taunton’s winner, Riley said: “It’s come from the second phase of a corner. I’m disappointed we didn’t see the danger and close their lad down before he smashed it into the top corner.”

Totton were without gritty midfielder Liam Gilbert, who was busy on a football coaching assessment, while the excellent Mowthorpe played the last 20 minutes in discomfort after hurting his shoulder.