BUSE STOPS BLUES FROM PROGRESSING

TAUNTON TOWN twice came from behind to set up a midweek replay – but saw Matt Wright miss what could have been the winner from the penalty spot.

The hosts, with three debutants on show, made a quick start with Ross Lafayette’s header well saved by Lloyd Irish.

But they went ahead on 18 minutes; Joe Kizzi played the ball through to Lafayette who held it up before playing in Moses Emanuel who scored off the post.

The lead lasted four minutes, Irish threw the ball out to Shane White who ran unchallenged into the opposition’s half. His through ball found Andrew Neal who finished with a shot into the corner.

Billericay took the lead again on 40 minutes when Lafayette and Emmanuel combined again for Emmanuel to lift the ball over the advancing Irish.

Again, however, the lead lasted only four minutes – good work from Ben Adelsbury saw a near post flick from Matt Buse beat Alan Julian at his near post.

The second half was much tighter and turned on two key incidents. A penalty was awarded to Taunton on 69 minutes after Ethan Stewarts handled, but Wright blasted against the bar. On 78 minutes Neal was sent off for a late challenge on Dean Inman.

The Blues pressed hardlate on but the Peacocks remained resolute.