LAST Wednesday evening saw Minehead bow out of the Somerset Premier Cup when they lost their second round home tie against Bishop Sutton 3-1.

Fresh from their win on Boxing Day, the Blues were a disappointing unit and only an outstanding goalkeeping display by keeper Richard Gannon, capped off with a penalty save in the closing minute, kept the scoreline respectable.

Sutton got off to a flying start when they took the lead after four minutes, Peter Shepherd's low cross finding Dean Maggs unmarked for a simple tap-in.

Minehead wasted a good opportunity to equalise from a Craig Carr free kick, then Robbie Hopkins went close with a header, while at the other end an angled free kick was headed just wide.

After 22 minutes Minehead were back on equal terms when Steve Perkins slipped a delightful through ball into space behind the visiting rearguard, Nick Whyborn latched onto it and dribbled around the advancing keeper to shepherd the ball into the unguarded net.

Shortly after, Whyborn broke clear again but this time his shot was weak and didn't trouble the keeper.

Minehead's keeper was putting his stamp on the match with some important saves as the visitors threatened to over-run the defence, none more so than a flying effort to deny Maggs on the half-hour.

Minehead were living dangerously with defenders too often being caught in possession and were lucky to survive a flurry of chances just before the interval.

The visitors made a positive start to the second half with Maggs going close before they regained the lead after just two minutes, Shepherd netting with a fierce shot.

On the hour Shepherd scored again with another impressive strike and Minehead were unable to raise their game, although Tony Hills was only just adrift with a shot on the run which found the side netting.

A superb save by Gannon stopped Shepherd claiming his hat-trick and several more times he came to the rescue and prevented a heavy defeat.

Sutton's pressure brought them a penalty when a forward was brought down in the penalty area, resulting in Lee Nunn being sent off.

But Gannon completed his outstanding display by brilliantly palming away Shepherd's spot-kick.

Minehead: R Gannon, D Burr, M Heywood, L Nunn, S Perkins, T Hills, C Carr, T Fielder, N Whyborn, R Hopkins, L Todd, subs A Giblett, W Giblett, G Bennett (all used).