Taunton left the Cotswolds empty-handed after enduring a frustrating Saturday afternoon at the Corinium Stadium where they lost 2-1 to Cirencester Town, writes Andy Power.

Frustration that they did not gain some reward from the 90 minutes with the possession they had was matched with frustration at some debatable decisions made by the match referee.

Missing four regulars, Town gave debuts to Jake Mawford and cover signing Ben Head at the back while new striker Khaled Badavi from Willand Rovers made his bow up front in this Evo-Stik Southern league game.

Blackburn Rovers reserve keeper Matt Urwin also made his first appearance for the Peacocks who have secured his services on a one month loan.

It was a busy start from Taunton who passed the ball around well without creating a clear chance while Urwin was quick off his line and dealt confidently with any crosses at the other end.

Badavi’s pace was a real threat to the home side, with Craig Herrod setting him up for a turn and a shot from the corner of the box which went just over and then appeals for a penalty after Badavi fell between two home defenders in the area were turned down by referee Piggott who instead booked the newcomer for diving.

Andy Robertson headed a looping cross from Simon Ingram over the bar before Cirencester grabbed the lead with their first real chance on 29 minutes, Ben Wells delivering a corner to the far post where Matt Sysum headed home.

The goal unsettled Town and the home side went on to control the rest of the half; Urwin dived to turn aside a drive from Sam Collier, with the same player then having chances with two headers, one being straight at Urwin and the other clearing the bar.

Town came out after the break with renewed fire. Badavi surged into the box and fired into the side netting, and a spell of pressure ended with Ben Mammola having his header from Ingram’s corner cleared off the line. Herrod also had a chance but his shot across Lee Clatworthy was held.

Cirencester responded with Sam Packer finding space in the box to see his shot deflected wide and then Collier should have scored but planted his header from Wells’ cross wide of the goal.

Taunton’s chances receded on 81 minutes when Mammola was sent off after receiving a second booking for a tackle on Shepherd, similar challenges being carried out by the home side during the match escaping the same punishment.

Moments later Cirencester made a hash of a breakaway with two players lining up to score but a combination of Urwin and an offside flag denied them.

However a cross from Shepherd was volleyed in by substitute Scott Griffin on 86 minutes to put daylight between the sides.

Two minutes into injury time, Ingram reduced the arrears from the penalty spot, sending Clatworthy the wrong way after Jamie Short had been upended.

Another appeal for a push on Neil Peek was ignored to leave Town uncomfortably close to the bottom and hoping their fortunes are going to change sometime soon.

Taunton: Matthew Urwin, Jake Mawford (Jamie Short 66), Ben Head, Ben Mammola, Neil Peek, Rob Norrish, Andy Robertson, Simon Ingram (captain), James Blake, Khaled Badavi, Craig Herrod . Unused subs: Corey Lewis, Tom Hopkins.

Cirencester: Lee Clatworthy, Alex Allard, Aidan Bennett (Chris Thompson 61), Matt Sysum (captain), Ben Wells, Nathan Hawkins, Jamie Reid, James Mortimer-Jones, Sam Collier (Scott Griffin 79), Joe Shepherd, Sam Packer. Unused sub: Sean Bailey.

Referee: Adrian Piggott (High Wycombe).

Assistants: Lennon Davies (Reading), Craig Boyles (Reading).

Attendance: 60.