AFC Totton are ready to go toe-to-toe with league leaders Sholing for the Zamaretto South & West title.

The Stags responded to Sholing’s 6-1 romp at Paulton on Monday with an emphatic win of their own last night, beating Taunton Town 4-1 at Wordsworth Drive to move into second spot.

They are now breathing heavily down the Boatmen’s necks, sitting four points behind the leaders with a game in hand.

Michael Lee Charles, pre ferred to Nathaniel Sherborne up front, got them up and running on seven minutes when he went in with the keeper and man aged to shin the ball over the line.

The former Farnborough hot-shot completed a first- half hat-trick with tap-ins in the 33rd and 44th minutes before set-piece specialist Mike Gosney netted a free- kick two minutes into the second half.

Ross McNab replied for the Peacocks, but the damage had already been done by the fast-starting Stags.

“I was really happy with the performance,” said Totton boss Stuart Ritchie.

“I wasn’t expecting a 4-1.

Taunton have had some good results lately, beating Frome, who were second, and draw ing with Sholing who are top.

“We were terrific in the first half. It’s the best we’ve played in a long, long time.

“Taunton couldn’t handle us. We had complete domina tion.

“It’s a big result for us and all we can do is keep winning games.”

*Full non-League round-up in today's Echo.