Taunton boss Ian Jones has vowed to prove his critics wrong as his side hover near the relegation zone in Division One South and West of the BGB Southern League.

Jones has praised the way the players who have stayed loyal to the club have played in recent weeks.

"The team spirit is great – the lads know that we're beginning to turn it around.

"We should have won this match but gave away two silly goals just before half-time.

"But we showed character in the second half and created some good chances.

"We were more adventurous and that left us a bit open at the back."

Taunton took the lead with a 19th-minute goal by Twayne Plummer, but North Leigh struck back twice in the last four minutes of the first half with Liam Pope levelling and Charlie Walsh putting through his own net.

After Welch and Andy McCave (North Leigh) were sent off after an hour, up popped John Harris to equalise for Taunton direct from a corner.

Jamie Price made a nightmare return to Bridgwater's side when they travelled to Gosport Borough in Division One South and West of the BGB Southern League.

The young defender quit as captain of Taunton Town in midweek to rejoin his former side – and was sent off after giving away a penalty in the 30th minute as his side crashed to a 5-0 defeat.

Bridgwater were already trailing to a Justin Bennett goal, and Dave Birmingham fired home the spot kick to make it 2-0.

Gosport went on to pile on the agony for Bridgwater's depleted side with further goals coming from Dave Waterman (37 minutes), Josh Thomas (47) and Graham Lindsay (79).

The result leaves Bridgwater 12th in the table – and with much work to do if they are going to make the play-offs.

Bridgwater had been hoping this would be possible in the new year but they are now 14 points adrift of fifth-placed Beaconsfield SYCOB.