HOLDERS Watchet were knocked out of the Somerset Senior Cup on Saturday when they were beaten 2-1 at the Memorial Ground by ScrewFix Western League Division One side Weston St John.

The Red and Blacks refused to surrender the trophy they won against the odds last May without a fight, but their only goal of the game came too late to seriously threaten the 2-0 advantage their opponents from a higher level had built up by half-time.

Gary Trunks was called into early action in Watchet's goal, tipping a lob over the top following a corner and then coming off his line to make a saving block.

At the other end Steve Wild almost latched onto a pass through the middle and Andy Milton's header from a free-kick brought save out of county cricketer Peter Trego in the visiting goal.

A quick free-kick from Weston's Ward flicked over Watchet's defensive wall should have brought the opening goal but Trunks came to the rescue with an alert stop and on the whole Wayne Merrick did a fine marking job on the visitors' dangerman in open play.

The home side failed to heed the warning, however, and just before the half-hour another free-kick awarded on the edge of the area saw St Johns take the lead as Ward cheekily chipped the ball into the far top corner with no backlift as Trunks was still trying to assemble a wall and before the referee had blown his whistle.

An opportunity for an equaliser came when another free-kick reached Milton at the far post, but it seemed to catch him by surprise and the ball rolled into Trego's hands before a shot was taken.

Watchet were then dealt another blow right on the interval when they conceded a second goal following another free kick harshly given against them.

A swift ball was played in behind Watchet's defence and the low cross from the byeline found Carter arriving in the six yard box to shoot in off the bar, giving Trunks no chance.

After the break the Red and Blacks continued to compete well with their visitors and their hard work all round ensured that the tie would not be put completely out of reach.

They enjoyed a more even share of the possession without creating the chances needed to restore parity, though Dean Allen tried his luck with a 25 yarder which was comfortably saved.

As the match wore on Watchet had to throw more men forward and one of only two Western League clubs who enter this competition found more space to exploit.

Ward had an effort ruled out for offside, but generally the visitors lacked the quality around the penalty box to make their passage certain with the final pass or finish going astray and Watchet defending stoutly.

Keeper Trego was unnecessarily cautioned for time wasting and it was in time added on that Watchet gained some reward for their efforts, but it was too late to be anything other than a consolation goal.

Wild cut back on the left touchline to deliver a deep cross beyond the far post where Stuart Cowling — who had replaced the injured Lawrence Monaghan near the hour mark — arrived to squeeze a downward header between Trego and the upright.

Watchet: G Trunks, D Spence, M Clausen, A Milton, L Monaghan, W Merrick, J Harris, M Cox, M Knowles, D Allen, S Wild, subs S Cowling, A Duffield, B Saddington.

l Watchet return to the quest for badly needed league points tomorrow in their bid to stay out of the bottom three when they visit Congresbury, who were 2-1 winners at the Memorial Ground earlier in the season.