WATCHET suffered their first home defeat of the season on Saturday when Backwell United reserves won 3-1 to move up to second place in the table.

After taking an early lead from the penalty spot, Watchet were pegged back before half-time and although it was not until the last minute that Backwell made absolutely certain of all three points, there was little doubt that the better side on the day went home victorious.

For the second week running Watchet received the boost of an early goal, this time inside the first five minutes.

The lively Robbie Hopkins had his feet swept from under him as he turned inside the box but away from goal, and Steve Wild calmly sidefooted the spot-kick into the corner of the net.

The same Watchet pair combined again soon afterwards and the visiting keeper had some difficulty in keeping out a Hopkins header from Wild's corner.

Backwell's Gould then served notice of the threat he was to pose for the Red and Blacks all afternoon as he cut in along the byeline to play a low cross into the six-yard box only for Gwyther to send it high over the bar at full stretch.

A carbon copy movement saw Byrne go closer as his shot hit the bar with Gould again the provider after eluding despairing Watchet tackles.

The home side continued to contribute to a bright opening half-hour and a dangerous run and cross to the far post from Lawrence Monaghan went begging.

The game began to slip away from Watchet when Gould made use of some space to advance and crack a low drive into the far corner from outside the area.

Pat Dorrington's injury forced a reshuffle before the interval which took Hopkins out of Watchet's frontline as he moved back to replace him with Dave Ridge coming on.

At the start of the second half Watchet failed to tackle, clear or even touch the ball as Backwell retained possession and appeared to toy with their opponents before creating the opening for Byrne to put them in front with a shot low to Steve Moore's left.

The experienced visiting side began to show their pedigree as Watchet were forced to hang on, and Moore brought off a superb save low down by his right-hand post to turn away Byrne's close range header.

Almost as good was the effort which denied Gould soon afterwards, and another Backwell attempt drifted inches wide.

Just about still in touch, Watchet went close to equalising when Wild's clever pass gave Darren Lyons his only chance of the match, but the keeper saved with his boot after rushing off his line.

Nick Criddle was unable to get a firm enough touch with his head from a free kick before the game was finally put beyond their reach as they pushed more men forward and substitute Green intercepted a pass to run half the length of the pitch and slip an angled shot past Moore.

Watchet: S Moore, L Monaghan, D Spence, M Clausen, D Ruddy, P Dorrington, N Criddle, P Raymond, S Wild, R Hopkins, D Lyons, subs D Ridge, S Milton, N Sully.

l Tomorrow Watchet are at home again when Long Sutton are the visitors (ko 3 p.m.).