TAUNTON TOWN 2

Chamberlain 14, 15

DORCHESTER TOWN 1

Bayston 11

DORCHESTER's Tom Purrington missed a 94th-minute penalty as Taunton Town survived a major late scare to go joint-top of the Southern League Premier South table.

The Magpies began sharply and took the lead through Sam Bayston’s predatory finish – adding to the five goals he netted in pre-season.

Taunton were behind for just three minutes as Ollie Chamberlain bagged a brace in 60 seconds, turning the game on its head.

Dorchester went close through Ash Wells and Oakley Hanger in the second half.

But the visitors were handed a golden chance for a late reprieve when Ioan Richards gave away a penalty, only for Tom Purrington to blaze his effort over the bar.

Magpies’ boss Robbie Herrera will be scratching his head as the Magpies’ promising pre-season form has not translated into the league arena.

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He made just one change from the starting line-up that began the 2-1 loss to Beaconsfield on Saturday.

In came Callum Buckley for his second Dorchester debut having featured at the Avenue Stadium while on loan in 2014.

Harry Burns was the man to miss out, dropping to a five-man bench, before Harry Hodges withdrew after the warm-up and Burns was reinstated.

Herrera also handed defender Charlie Madden the number nine forward’s jersey, a tactic trialled in the friendly with Hungerford during pre-season.

And the change seemed to work well in the opening exchanges as Dorchester commanded a big presence up front.

Dorchester’s good start was confirmed when Bayston collected a through ball and pulled the trigger, only for goalkeeper Lloyd Irish to smother his shot.

Bayston was not to be denied in the 11th minute, though, as the former Wimborne man pounced on a loose ball inside the area to fire past Irish for his first goal of the season.

What followed was scarcely believable as Taunton roared back at the Magpies with two goals inside 60 seconds.

Their first was a header at the back post from Chamberlain before the midfielder doubled his and Taunton’s tally in the 15th minute when he bent a snapshot past Gerard Benfield for 2-1.

Richards and Nick Grimes both nodded at Benfield as Taunton hunted a quick third, Gethyn Hill then sending a header of his own off target.

Dorchester began to settle after conceding the rapid brace but Oakley Hanger’s shot cannoned off Bayston and away to safety.

Former Dorchester striker Toby Holmes tested Benfield before half-time and the Weymouth loanee keeper endured a nervy moment when he spilled Jay Foulston’s free-kick.

His drop fell into the path of ex-Weymouth player Jake Wannell but Benfield atoned for his error when blocking the defender’s shot.

After the break, former Plymouth midfielder Purrington shot over from 20 yards for Dorchester and Joe Guest replied with an errant effort at the other end.

Dorchester enjoyed a purple patch midway through the half as the unlikely source of Ash Wells fired at Irish.

Hanger then tested the Peacocks’ goalkeeper with a free-kick, which he grabbed with aplomb.

Taunton deprived Chamberlain of his hat-trick in the 78th minute, bringing him off for Dan McBeam.

As Dorchester chased a leveller, under-23s stars Ben Hughes, Ben Symes and George Calverley all came on for Burns, Madden and Hanger.

And, when Richards gave away the spot-kick it seemed like Dorchester’s late changes had worked, only for Purrington to blast high over the bar.

Taunton: Irish, Foulston, Grimes, Wannell, Chamberlain (McBeam 78), Holmes, Guest, Hill (Goodall 66), Smith, Veale (Staley 57) Richards. Subs not used: Watts, Murphy

Magpies: Benfield, Burns (Hughes 78), Sa, Wells, Davidson, Buckley, Hanger (Calverley 86), Purrington, Madden (Symes 82), Bayston, Lowes. Subs not used:  Walker-Harris.

Attendance: 526