MINEHEAD went out of the Les Phillips Cup last Saturday when, after a superb second-half comeback, they were beaten by a late goal from hosts Radstock.

As if facing an in-form team from the division above them wasn't enough, the Blues also had to contend with losing 17-year-old keeper Alex Sprake to injury midway through the second half.

As expected, the home side came at Minehead from the start but found their defence in no mood to roll over.

And it was far from one-way traffic as twice in the first ten minutes Luke Webber managed to break through the defence.

First he shot wide after man of the match Ben Flatley had found the pacey young striker with a perfect through ball, then a few minutes later he showed the home defence a clean pair of heels but saw his goalbound shot blocked by keeper Gary Stevens.

Radstock needed a penalty after 17 minutes to break the deadlock, Nathan Fowler slotting home from the spot after centre half Sam Hutchings had fouled Liam Watson.

More good work from Flatley again released Webber but his effort from the edge of the box curled the wrong side of the far post.

A few minutes before half-time the home side increased their lead when Sprake spilled an innocuous looking header and Stuart Bryant prodded home from eight yards.

The keeper partly atoned for his error and effectively kept the Blues in the game shortly after when he brilliantly tipped a fierce shot over the bar.

The start of the second half saw Minehead bring on Matt Cracknell and Guy Burns for Craig Carr and right winger Joe Holder, who had taken a knock, and they took the game to their hosts with determination.

In previous seasons Minehead could have been accused of accepting defeat too easily, but it was clear they felt they were good enough to get back in the game, and five minutes into the half more exquisite work in midfield from Flatley saw him beat two bemused opponents then slide a pass through for Andy Gubb to fire home and make it 2-1.

After 65 minutes, the injured Sprake was replaced between the posts by Sam Hutchings.

Five minutes later, Minehead were deservedly back on level terms when Guy Burns confidently struck Webber's pass beyond the keeper's reach.

Minehead were now attacking relentlessly in search of the winner and Mike Mullen saw his right foot effort go inches wide.

But disaster struck five minutes from time when, from a seemingly offside position, an unopposed Liam Watson beat Hutchings from the edge of the box to steal victory for a hugely relieved home side.

The defeat ended Minehead's involvement in cup competitions for another season, but the young side are finding a rhythm and spirit which should start earning them points in the league.

Minehead: Alex Sprake, Mike Mullen, Andrew Gubb, Chris Yeates, Sam Hutchings, James Browning, Joe Holder, Craig Carr, Luke Webber, Ben Flatley, Lee Todd, subs Matt Cracknell, Guy Burns, Ben Graddon (all used).

l Tomorrow (Saturday) sees Minehead travel to Chard Town in search of their first league double of the season, having beaten their opponents 2-0 at Irnham Road in October.