MINEHEAD'S last away fixture of the season saw them well beaten by Mangotsfield United whose 6-0 success clinched runners-up spot in the Screwfix Premier League Division and likely promotion into the Dr Martens League next season.
The Blues gave a better account of themselves than the scoreline suggests, keeping the home side frustrated and goalless until just before the interval, but the sending off of Paul Thorpe proved a turning point.
Minehead keeper Lee Ayres, back from suspension, produced several important saves but blotted his copy book when he let two shots slip from his grasp and into the net.
Mangotsfield opened the match with several likely breaks along their flanks and it needed an alert Ayres to block three goalbound shots in quick succession.
Minehead's tireless striker Nick Woon produced some promising raids of his own and caused concern to the home defence, and after nine minutes play, a smart break on the right wing saw Mark Brereton cross into the penalty area for Woon to force a reaction save by the home keeper Steve Weaver to keep out his crisp shot on the turn.
Soon after Mangotsfield's Noel O'Sullivan was on target with a shot which brought a full-length save from Ayres.
Minehead's defence was under a lot of pressure, but some outstanding rearguard action by Thorpe and Darren Knowling kept the score sheet blank, although the Blues were fortunate not to go a goal down after 21 minutes with a fierce drive from Dave Elsey hit the underside of the bar and rebounded into the keeper's arms.
On the half hour Minehead earned their first corner and Palfrey's kick caused problems for the home side, resulting in a free-kick in a dangerous position which Palfrey sent just over the bar.
Another fine save by Ayres after 34 minutes halted a tentative shot by Danny Hallett.
In the 39th minute Mangotsfield finally took the lead when the unlucky Mark Brereton headed into his own net. Minehead thought a home player had handled the ball in the area but their protests went unheeded.
Minehead responded positively to the goal by forcing two corners which had the home defence scampering around to deny an equaliser.
Two minutes before half-time there was a suspicion of handball by a home forward, but play was allowed to continue and Elsey scored, sparking protests from Minehead which ended with Thorpe being sent off for bad language.
The absence of Thorpe was a big loss, and any hopes Minehead had of staging a comeback were dashed after 56 minutes, when a tame shot by Martin Boyle was mishandled by Ayres and crossed the goal-line.
After 65 minutes Mangotsfield made it 4-0 when Lee Groves scored with a long range effort which Ayres appeared to have covered but again allowed to escape his grasp.
Ayres went on to produce a series of fine saves to atone for his errors as Mangotsfield swarmed forward.
Minehead brought on their three substitutes but to no avail, and after 75 minutes a mistake by Knowling allowed O'Sullivan to head home and a minute later the scoring was complete when Edwards scored.
Two brilliant saves from Ayres ensured Mangotsfield didn't add to their tally.
Minehead: L Ayres, N Stone, A Reader, P Thorpe, D Knowling, L Porter, A Payne, N Woon, D Palfrey, C Slough, subs N Wyborn, S Nicholls, M McKenna (all used).