TAUNTON Town manager Ian Jones said Bridgwater's late equaliser in the Easter Monday derby was hard to take.

They scored with the last kick of the game to earn a 2-2 draw after Taunton had taken the lead just a minute earlier.

He said: "Overall, I thought a draw was a fair result but it was difficult to take after going 2-1 up so late on.

"We thought we'd won it but then it was taken away.

"We weren't really at the races in the first half but they didn't really create too much.

"We played some good football in the second half and I was pleased with the way we fought back.

"There's a good spirit in the side and they never give up - which is good because we seem to go a goal down in every game we play."

Bridgwater took the lead on the quarter of an hour mark when ex-Taunton winger Nat Pepperell fired home a free kick.

Pepperell - one of five former Peacocks in the Bridgwater line-up - also scored a free kick in the Boxing Day derby which Taunton won 3-1.

The hosts warranted their lead but Taunton improved after the break and thought they should have been awarded a penalty for handball.

They eventually got the goal they deserved on 79 minutes when Matt Rawlins' header was adjudged to have crossed the line despite Bridgwater protests.

And Taunton appeared to have snatched victory on 89 minutes when Alex Faux's wind-assisted cross looped into the net.

However, striker Tom Clarke, who was on-loan at Taunton from Yeovil Town last season, had the last word in injury time, firing home from the edge of the area after a scramble.

Taunton Town: Nathan Whatley, Stuart Nelson, Charlie Welch, Gary Fisher (capt), Lee Bridson, Scott Thomas, Ryan Havard, John Lock (Matt Beadle 63 mins), Tom Collett, Matt Rawlins, Alex Faux. Subs not used: Matt Naylor, Joe Holder, Liam Bull. Attendance: 769.