WATCHET'S return to league action last Saturday also saw them back to winning ways as they beat neighbours Taunton Blackbrook 2-0 to maintain their 100 per cent home record.

With many other games cancelled due to the weather, the Red and Blacks moved level on points with leaders Cheddar and only behind them on goal difference.

Blackbrook were soon showing why they are on a good run themselves as they often passed the ball better than their hosts in the first half.

Striker Sherwood twice found good positions inside the home penalty area, but on each occasion he failed to extend keeper Adam Bishop.

Sean Kenny had a downward header safely held by Lock and then curled a free-kick narrowly wide as Watchet began to threaten.

The same player was then poised to meet a fine cross from Adam Jefferies until an intervention from a visiting defender somehow diverted the ball over his own bar from almost underneath it.

A tight first half contested by two evenly matched sides ended goalless as neither was able to gain the initiative.

The Taunton outfit squandered a glaring chance to take the lead early in the second half when Parkinson stole in on the blindside of the Watchet defence, only to send his close range header wide of the target.

Watchet hit back and Aaron Deeks used his pace before crossing low into the goalmouth where Curtis deflected the ball towards his own net and keeper Lock had to be alert to change direction and turn it away for a corner at full stretch.

There continued to be little to choose between the two sides and a draw was looking increasingly likely when Watchet got their noses in front with just over 20 minutes remaining.

A set-piece was only half-cleared by Blackbrook and when Ryan Strong threaded the ball back through a crowd of players, Deeks was left unmarked to gain contol and ram his shot into the back of the net from six yards.

With the light deteriorating alarmingly, there was a genuine threat of an abandonment as Blackbrook mounted some serious late pressure in an effort to salvage something.

Watchet defended resolutely in numbers to protect their lead and the visitors had few clear sights of the goal, though Bishop was glad the ball landed in his arms after almost misjudging a cross from the left.

An injury to Jamie Milton, who was making his last appearance before a trip to Australia, caused a further delay and spectators were struggling to peer through the gloom when the Red and Blacks broke out to make sure of all three points with three minutes left.

Kenny's reverse pass sent Deeks racing clear through the middle to round Lock and run the ball into the empty goal to ensure Watchet's highest league position for over 30 years.

Watchet: A Bishop, D Richards, J Milton, L Nunn, C Sully, S Perkins, R Strong, T Maddock, A Jefferies, A Deeks, S Kenny, subs B Walsh (used), R Jones.

l The Memorial Ground hosts another interesting derby tomorrow when Watchet face Bishops Lydeard in the second round of the Somerset Senior County Cup (kick off 1.45pm).