MANAGER James Taylor scored his first goal in over a year for Team Solent on Saturday, but it was not enough to ward off a 3-1 revenge attack by promotion rivals Cowes Sport in Sydenhams One.

Taylor, who turned 40 in November, threw on himself and former AFC Totton full-back Ryan Hill in the second half in a bid to give the Students a greater physical presence.

It worked to a degree, with Taylor on target but, by then, Cowes were three goals up thanks to a Tom Scovell free kick, a Max Draper screamer and a Jared Wetherick header.

The result denied Solent the chance to leapfrog Tadley Calleva into top spot, whilst rekindling fourth-placed Cowes’ title chances.

“We didn’t play particularly well and they played quite well, but that’s the third time we’ve played them now and there’s not a lot to choose between the sides,” said Taylor.

“We had a couple of opportunities to make the game more interesting in the second half, but it was a fair result in the end.

“Ryan joined us just before Christmas. He’s getting himself fit and just looking to play locally. The travelling (in the Southern League) at Totton was too much for him.”

Team Solent remain level on 34 points with Tadley. Third-placed Amesbury Town lurk just a point behind after demolishing Downton 6-0 through Danny Finnigan (2), Nic Turpin (2), Eddie Perrett and Chris Ward.