On a cold, damp day in Somerset, it was the hosts who came away with all three points after a 2-1 victory. Taunton took the lead early in the second half and regained their lead just moments after Gosport had equalised.

Taunton enjoyed a more dominant first-half performance. The home side enjoyed the majority of possession and were unlucky to not take a lead into half-time.

Ioan Richards came closest to breaking the deadlock when his header hit the bar in the 32nd minute after finding himself unmarked from a corner. Just a minute later, Jared Lewington should have scored. The Taunton striker capitalised on Matt Briggs failing to control the ball but his shot was brilliantly turned wide by Bert White.

Gosport failed to test Will Buse in the Taunton goal and only registered a couple of half-chances. Bedsente Gomis blasted an effort from outside the box over the bar and Brad Tarbuck saw an effort on goal blocked by Dan Wooden.

The hosts also started the second half more likely to score and did just that in the 50th minute. Jack Veale did well to beat Harvey Rew and his shot bounced off Matt Briggs and past the helpless Bert White.

Ross Stearn was dangerous throughout and had two chances to extend his side’s lead. Firstly, he powered a freekick under the wall but White did well to hold the ball. Five minutes later, he was put through but his shot dragged inches wide.

Mason Walsh did his best to provide Gosport with some momentum, regularly cutting in from the left but failed to register any noteworthy chances before Dan Wooden was forced off with a foot injury.

Matt Paterson replaced the injured Wooden and scored Gosport’s equaliser in the 76th minute. The striker rose highest following a Mason Walsh corner and glanced a header past Will Buse in the Taunton goal.

But, as Boro’s travelling contingent’s celebrations were just dying down, Taunton regained their lead within a minute. The ball fell to Jared Livingstone who powered a shot past White. Things went from bad to worse for the visiting Gosport as Bedsente Gomis was sent off for a second yellow card in the 80th minute.

Billie Busari and Seok-Jae Lee looked lively down either wing for Boro’ in the closing stages as they searched in vain for a second equaliser, but Taunton were able to see out the win and keep all three points at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium.