SHOLING’S losing streak stretched to four straight league and cup games with a 2-1 reverse at Taunton Town on Saturday.

But considering the Peacocks sit second in the Evo-Stik Southern One South & West, it was a decent effort by the threadbare Boatmen whose latest injury woes deprived them of Nick Watts, Jack Smith, Pete Castle and Liam Golding.

Taunton did all the damage in the first half and might have done more but for another stubborn show of defiance by Matt Brown.

The Sholing keeper was called into action with just two minutes gone, pulling off a smart save to deny Taunton right-back Jamie Price his third goal in as many games.

But, unluckily for the Boatmen’s No1, he was beaten from the subsequent corner as Brett Trowbridge drove the ball through a packed penalty area.

Brown’s later save from the spot was justice in the eyes of manager Dave Diaper who, for the life of him, couldn’t see what the penalty was given for or who it was awarded against.

“There was a goalmouth scramble and the linesman flagged from 35 yards away,” he said. “They were saying that someone had gone to shoot and had his standing leg taken from under him, but it was just one of those scrambles and it could have been any number of players involved.

“I don’t think it was a penalty and Matt Brown saved it in any case.”

Sholing’s reprieve didn’t last long, however. With 38 minutes gone Graham Mercieca jinked through far too easily to double the Peacock’s lead.

“It was a disappointing one to give away,” Diaper admitted. “Their guy’s touched it through two defenders and past Browner to make it 2-0 at half- time.”

What followed though was a pleasing 45 minutes for the boss, capped off with a late reply by defender Dan Miller from Tobi Adekunle’s corner.

“We totally controlled the second half,” said Diaper.

“We’d been having problems with the referee in the first half and had Marvin McLean, Byron Mason and Alex Sawyer booked.

“At half-time I told them all to calm down and concentrate on the game and they did that and their attitude and character was good.

“We went looking for an equaliser in the last few minutes but, unfortunately, nothing materialised.”

Sholing, still 17th, have a free midweek before hitting the road again to mid-table Mangotsfield on Saturday.