Evo-Stik Southern League
Premier Division South
Wimborne Town 1, Taunton Town 1

OLLIE Chamberlain popped up to score with 13 minutes left and rescue a point for Taunton Town away to in-form Wimborne Town on Saturday.

The Peacocks had had their chances to open the scoring, Ed Palmer heading against the crossbar, but Toby Holmes fired the hosts ahead.

Chamberlain's header earned a point for the away side, however, which means that their lead at the top of the table is now four points.

The Peacocks brought Shane White into the starting line-up after his facial injury, with Lewis Hall dropping to the bench, while Dan Sullivan and Andrew Neal continued together up front.

Wimborne were unbeaten in seven home matches going into the game, and the opening stages were evenly contested.

But the visitors were inches away from taking a 16th-minute lead, Ed Palmer's header striking the crossbar from Ryan Brett's free-kick, and Neal then shot straight at Magpies goalkeeper Gerard Benfield. 

Luke Holmes forced Lloyd Irish into a straightforward save at the other end, but again a golden opportunity came and went for the Peacocks - Neal missing the target from close range following a corner.

The rain thundered down after half time, but still Taunton tried their luck from distance - Brett and Neal going close.

When the opener finally came, on 72 minutes, it went to the home side, as prolific scorer Toby Holmes rounded Irish and slotted the ball home.

But crucially the Peacocks were only behind for five minutes, Chamberlain heading in from Matt Buse's cross.

The visitors threw Matt Wright and Craig Veal into the fray, and the ever-dangerous Neal was denied by Benfield's excellent save, but the match finished all square.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Shane White (c), Ben Adelsbury, Ed Palmer (Matt Wright 85), Keith Emmerson, Matt Buse, Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Dan Sullivan (Craig Veal 85), Andrew Neal.
Subs not used: Lewis Hall, Josh Nelmes.

With Metropolitan Police beating Hartley Witney 5-1 and Weymouth overcoming Salisbury 4-3, both have closed the gap to league leaders Taunton.

The Peacocks are four points clear of Met Police, having played two more games, and this Tuesday they travel to fourth-placed Salisbury (ko 7.45pm).