All of the above was not remotely on the cards during the first half which Bridgy dominated with Morgan Williams leading the midfield into battle on a pitch which had stood up well to the incessant rain.

Dave Pearse still had Nick Woodrow, Mike Duffy and Sam Hedges on the injured list but had a strong looking line up although the bench contained a winger, two midfielders and two defenders with no real attacking options.

Harry Horton was the first to test home keeper Tom Easterbrook but was just wide then on nine minutes Taylor had the ball in the net but was adjudged offside. The striker looked lively and was just wide with another effort before on 26 minutes Horton set him up and he hit the post as Shepton rode their luck. An away goal looked definitely on the cards when on the half hour Easterbrook pulled off a stunning stop to deny Taylor once again but frustration began to take its toll and after Williams was cautioned Shepton came more into the game and Joe Morgan bulldozed through but shot over.

By then the home side had lost skipper Andy Martin to what looked like another dislocated shoulder but the break came with no score although with little to indicate what would occur.

Aaron Seviour and Jordan Greenwood exchanged missed chances and Taylor had another shot held by Easterbrook but in 56 minutes the deadlock was broken when the Robins’ defence was exposed and Jacob Spence pulled back Seviour to earn a caution and Hewlett tucked away the spot kick. Adnan Hiroli then missed a chance to level and it was punished on the hour as Fin Haines and Nathan Legge set up Morgan who scored after Viney had parried a shot.

The result was done and dusted but sadly Bridgwater lost their discipline and after Taylor’s rash challenge brought his first booking, Jake Llewellyn soon followed. Dave Pearse threw on George King and Cam Gauci but any lingering hopes were extinguished when Taylor was involved in an incident right in front of the home bench and that was only ever going to end one way.

Mark Armstrong almost reduced the deficit late on but Easterbrook deserved his clean sheet while sadly for the away fans in the 375 strong crowd, they went back to Bridgy knowing that their side had pretty much got what they deserved too.