MINEHEAD lost to Bishop Sutton for the second time in four days as they went down 2-1 to their relegation rivals on Saturday.

The Blues played much better than in Wednesday's cup tie and only lost to a hotly disputed penalty.

After a goalless first half it was the home side who took the lead after 51 minutes, Minehead responded with a goal from recent signing John Norman in the 72nd minute, then the hosts snatched the points from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go.

Minehead's line-up included Robbie Hopkins as sweeper and Lee Todd as a second striker.

A fine run by John Norman on the right flank gave Minehead a promising start but his shot was too high.

Soon after, Sutton forced a corner, but the best opportunity to open the scoring fell to the Blues when Todd outsmarted keeper Johnson only for his lob to be deflected away by a timely header from a home defender.

Sutton went close when a delayed shot by Tony Smedley from a sharp angle just missed the Minehead upright as play switched from end to end with some lively exchanges keeping the pressure on the two defences.

When Sutton won a free-kick in a dangerous position, the ball was floated in and there were strong appeals for handball against a Minehead defender, but the unsighted referee allowed play to continue.

Sutton stepped up their attacks, forcing three corners in quick succession, but Minehead keeper Richard Gannon rose well in the crowded goalmouth to take the ball confidently.

A series of injuries resulted in ten minutes of added time before the break, and in that time Todd had two efforts blocked and cleared by the Sutton defence.

In the second half the home team used the sloping pitch to good effect as they pumped long balls deep into the Minehead half.

The tactic paid off within seven minutes when a testing high ball dropped nicely for Smedley to head home.

After Lee Nunn replaced injured veteran central defender Adrian Giblett, Smedley was inches wide with a header, then at the other end Will Giblett went close too.

A delightful run by Dave Burr triggered a bout of interpassing which ended with Norman netting the equaliser from a dozen yards out.

However, Minehead's hopes of gleaning their first away point of the season were dashed ten minutes from time when Sutton were awarded a penalty — a controversial decision which was harsh on the Blues — and Ashton put the home side ahead.

Minehead worked hard to get back on terms and threw caution to the wind, leaving Gannon exposed, and he had to make several vital saves, but the equaliser wouldn't come.

Minehead: R Gannon, T Hills, D Burr, R Hopkins, A Giblett, M Heywood, W Giblett, S Perkins, N Whyborn, L Todd, J Norman; subs L Nunn, B Hall, C Carr.

l Minehead Town are looking forward to potentially their biggest home crowd since the FA Cup tie against Woking in October 1988 when last season's FA Vase finalists Chippenham Town are the visitors for a Screwfix League Premier Division encounter tomorrow (Saturday).

On a crest of a wave recently and still involved in this season's FA Vase, Chippenham last weekend beat top of the table Taunton Town 5-3 at their Hardenhuish ground and now have the leaders firmly in their sights.

With Chippenham boasting a travelling group of supporters currently approaching 200, Minehead officials are hoping for a bigger than normal turn out from local supporters to swell the crowd even further. Kick-off is 3pm.