MINEHEAD put up a valiant show against their opponents from the Dr Martens League in front of a crowd of nearly 150 before conceding two late goals in an exciting FA Cup Preliminary Round match on Saturday.

The visitors went close to opening the score in the seventh minute when Blues keeper Richard Gannon had to go full length to save from Karl Bayliss, but Minehead struck back and Steve Perkins shot just wide from an acute angle.

As expected, Gloucester had the lion's share of the play but a combination of poor finishing, bad luck and some fine defensive play by Minehead denied them a goal.

With half-time approaching Gloucester went close to taking the lead when, with the keeper beaten, Charlie Lewis, who played magnificently throughout, blocked a goalbound shot from Lee Smith.

After the interval the visitors increased the pressure and only a brilliant save by Gannon denied Tom Webb. Shortly afterwards a header by Craig Hampson was cleared off the line by Dave Burr, and a few minutes later Burr saw his attempted headed clearance strike his own upright.

Minehead mounted several attacks but lacked the sharpness to penetrate the Gloucester defence, and the visitors again went close when player-manager Chris Burns hit the bar.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 79th minute when the visitors took the lead, Chris Thompson finding the net from a good cross from the tricky, diminutive Adie Harris.

Gloucester then sealed their victory in the last minute when Ken Howard headed home a cross by Lee Smith from close range.

Minehead: R Gannon, D Burr, L Nunn, M Lewis, M Heywood, P Snow, L Taylor, L Todd, S Perkins, C Carr, N Watson, subs P Long, G Howard (both used), A Hodgson.

l Minehead are hoping that the extra supporters attracted to the FA Cup match last Saturday will be encouraged by the team's battling performance against a side two pyramid levels higher than themselves and return to Irnham Road for the two Screwfix League encounters being played in the next few days.

Tomorrow (Saturday), they face stiff opposition in the form of Bitton, who finished last season in sixth position in the table.

Their form this season appears particularly strong, having convincingly beaten big-spending Street 5-1 on their own ground on the opening day of the season and followed this up with a creditable draw in the FA Cup last week at Dr Martens League side Clevedon Town. They were only narrowly defeated 2-1 in Monday's replay.

Minehead's squad will be strengthened by the return of Marc and Simon Antonelli, who both missed the Gloucester City tie.

l Minehead's team have no time to relax before facing neighbours Ilfracombe at Irnham Road on Tuesday evening, kick off 7.45pm.

Ilfracombe have strengthened last season's mid-table squad by signing top Screwfix Premier lLeague striker Kevin Squires from Barnstaple, along with the much experienced Peter Varley from Dr Martens side Tiverton Town.

In a bold attempt to encourage more local fupporters to attend matches, Minehead will be allowing free admission to all parents who attend the match along with their children (14 years and under).

Admission charges have been kept at the Screwfix League minimum charge again this season (Adults £2.50, OAPs £1.50), with children under 14 allowed free admission to all league games, although unsupervised children are not permitted in the grandstand or into the club's licensed bar.