MINEHEAD claimed their first win of the new year on Saturday when they beat visitors Frome Town 2-1 in the third round of the Les Philips Western League Cup.
Frome arrived with only one win in the First Division of the Screwfix League Direct, but their performance in difficult slippery conditions belied their bottom-of-the-table placing.
They certainly proved a surprise package which saw Minehead having to work hard to clinch victory.
Frome quickly stamped their mark on the pattern of play with some speedy runs by Lee Davies and Mark Salter, and should have taken the lead after five minutes when a close range header by Davies was put over the bar.
They continued to threaten the Minehead penalty area with good close passing skills in blustery conditions, and they went ahead after 19 minutes when Salter rounded off a slick bout of interpassing with a shot which keeper Lee Ayres had no chance of saving.
Shortly afterwards, Minehead produced a good effort when Gary Bennett's shot was well stopped by the Frome keeper Andy Crabtree.
However, the Blues were not in arrears for very long, Damon Palfrey scoring a memorable 25 yard goal after 27 minutes which left Crabtree powerless.
Andy Reader, something of an unsung hero for Minehead, lifted the crowd seven minutes before the interval with a solo run which took him past four Frome tackles, only to be robbed as he shaped to shoot.
A minute later Minehead went ahead when clever work by Mark McKenna provided the opening for Steve Nicholls, who slid the ball home through a crowded six-yard box.
After the break, Nick Woon's efforts caught the eye as he teased the visitors' defence with his tireless chasing and harassing. After just two minutes, he broke clear, but with only Crabtree to beat, his shot was well smothered by the keeper.
Minehead appeared content to contain the lively runs by the visiting attack, although there were two instances midway through when a measure of steadiness in front of goal could have claimed an equaliser.
Frome's chances of a cup upset were hit when Keith Ball was sent off for a foul on Palfrey, and after this Minehead raised their game with Woon going close on several occasions.
After the Blues were forced to bring on Shane Porter because of an injury to Adrian Giblett, Woon tried a curling shot which flashed just wide with Crabtree beaten, then the keeper produced two superb saves to deny Woon and, near the end, McKenna.
Whilst the score remained 2-1 Frome always had a chance of forcing extra time and possibly a penalty shootout, but Minehead held out.
Minehead: L Ayres, A Reader, A Giblett, S Nicholls, D Knowling, L Porter, G Bennett, N Stone, N Woon, D Palfrey, M McKenna, subs, A Payne, Shane Porter (both used).
l Minehead, who do not have a game tomorrow (Saturday), have been drawn at home to high-flying Premier Division rivals Chippenham in the quarter-finals of the Les Phillips Cup, a match which will be played on Saturday, February 26.
The Blues' next game is a week tomorrow, when they visit neighbours Bridgwater Town for a league fixture.
In the meantime, Minehead are looking to strengthen their squad with the signing of striker Paul Atyeo to complement top-scorer Nick Woon.
Atyeo, aged 26, was with champions Taunton Town last season but went to Australia for personal reasons in the latter stages of the campaign and has only recently returned.
Woon, who has hit 15 league goals for Minehead, is now the fourth-highest scorer in the Screwfix Western League.