STEVE Hollick rued some “sloppy goals” as AFC Totton opened their Southern One South & West campaign on a disappointing note in Somerset.

Despite taking an early lead courtesy of ex-Sholing winger Nick Watts, the Stags slipped 2-1 down at Taunton Town before Mike Gosney looked to have grabbed them a share of the spoils.

But they were caught out with just seven minutes to go as Josh Klein-Davies swooped to edge victory for the Peacocks.

“We looked good early on and played the ball around well,” reflected Hollick.

“But we gave away some sloppy goals and I’m disappointed that we didn’t really get going after we’d scored. We went into ourselves a bit and, with the players we’ve got, that was frustrating.

“Saying that, Taunton have good centre-backs, they’re pacy out wide and lively up front, so it’s no disgrace to lose to a good side like that.

“But, for effort alone, we deserved a point, and it’s a just pity we couldn’t hold out.

“It wasn’t a typical Southern League game, there was some entertaining football played. It was probably a good game for the spectators, but not so much when you’re on the management side.”

After a bright start, Totton seized an 11th-minute lead when Craig Feeney’s byline cross ricocheted into the path of Watts, who turned it home via another deflection.

But, four minutes later, a route one punt from goalkeeper Lloyd Irish allowed Klein-Davis to slip the ball past Steve Mowthorpe for a hasty Taunton leveller.

The Peacocks came all guns blazing after the break, penning Totton in their own half for a good ten minutes.

When the Stags finally broke out, Feeney played in dangerman Watts, who cut inside and had a shot blocked with Liam Hibberd hitting the follow-up straight at the goalkeeper.

Taunton went back on offensive and took the lead with a fluent move on 65 minutes, ending with Jamie Short heading home Klein-Davis’s cross.

Hollick responded by throwing on Jake Burgess for Dave Allen and it proved an inspired substitution as the youngster split the Taunton defence with a glorious pass for Mike Gosney to square things up on 76 minutes.

Nathaniel Sherborne might have built on that after yet another strong run by Watts, but it was Taunton who applied the killer blow Watts lost possession as he tried to break and Ben Carter beat Luke Dempsey for pace. Carter crossed and Klein-Davis headed in the winner.

The last action brought an unsuccessful Totton penalty appeal against Jak Martin, who appeared to touch the ball with his arm as he attempted to control it under pressure from Feeney.

The Stags now have two home games to get their season off the ground, starting against Wantage Town tomorrow (Tuesday).

Left-back Marc Diaper (calf) remains doubtful, while Chris Manning is still on holiday.

“It will be nice to play in front of our own crowd and hopefully get our first points on the board,” said Hollick.