TAUNTON Town head of football Rob Dray was pleased with the way his side broke down a resolute Beaconsfield Town rearguard on their way to a 3-0 home win on Saturday.

The Peacocks had to wait until the 26th minute for Matt Wright's opener, before two Andrew Neal goals after the break wrapped things up.

Dray told the County Gazette: "It was a thoroughly professional performance.

"It was frustrating at times, as they came down and played a 5-4-1, and they're certainly not the worst side that we've played this year.

"But we got our goals at the right times - a great finish from Wrizz [Matt Wright], and the first goal was massive today.

"Then Rocky [Andrew Neal] did as Rocky does, making two goals out of nothing, which made it relatively comfortable come the end.

"The biggest thing is the clean sheet; that's something I've been wanting to improve on this year, and we're just seeing some partnerships blossoming now, and some more understanding.

"We played some nice stuff as well today, but when you don't get your rewards after the first 10 minutes, people get frustrated.

"But teams aren't going to roll over down here.

"They played a 5-4-1 which makes it very difficult, they're a tough side to play against and they'll take points off other sides - like they did away to Gosport."

READ MORE: Taunton Town 3-0 Beaconsfield Town as it happened

There was a first start for Owen Windsor, a left-sided forward who has come in on loan from West Bromwich Albion until January, and the 18-year-old impressed.

A busy performance was almost capped with a goal, but his second-half effort hit the inside of one post, then the other, and was cleared off the line.

"Owen was very good today, I'm very pleased," Dray said.

"You can see he's got that calibre and quality, and his decision making was superb for a young man.

"He looks a real prospect - West Brom have got him for a reason.

"He was very unlucky not to score; you don't see a shot hit two posts and not go over the line very often.

"He deserved a goal today, and I'm sure he'll get one soon."

Windsor starting the match meant that regulars Ollie Chamberlain, Lewis Hall, Harry Kite and Jamie Short - as well as Gloucester City loanee Jake Jackson - were on the bench, and Dray believes that strength in depth will be needed.

He said: "It's very difficult for me today as a manager, but I know we would put a good side out with the 16-17 players we had to pick from.

"Last season it was relatively easy as we had 13-14 and you would churn out much the same side each week.

"But we've introduced a slightly different shape and some different personnel, because we want to keep moving forward.

"You get good players in and it's going to make it difficult to leave people out at times, but there's a lot of games coming up and it's not an 11-man game any more.

"So it is tough, but that's what I'm paid for!"

The result keeps Taunton within touching distance of the top four, with Truro City, Chesham United, Tiverton Town and Swindon Supermarine also winning their matches on Saturday.

And while Gosport Borough, Poole Town and Salisbury all dropped points, the Peacocks are three points off fourth with games in hand.

Dray added: "We just have to keep ticking [games] off.

"There was a stat someone showed me the other day, that we're the only team to have played seven of the top eight - and we've done really well against them.

"We'll keep grinding them out and stay in the slipstream [of the leading sides].

"It feels good at the moment, and there's a nice little buzz in the changing room.

"We've got some momentum, confidence is good, the right people are scoring in the right places and our defenders are defending exceptionally well."