WATCHET Town’s 15-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday when they lost 3-1 away to leaders Staplegrove, whose win ensured them of the Division One championship title in the Somerset Uhlsport Somerset County Football League, writes Nick Sully.

Not for the first time this season the Red & Blacks were unable to put two good halves together and on this occasion they were left with too big a mountain to climb after the interval.

The home side looked the sharper outfit even before the first of Watchet's defensive errors led to Bidgeway crossing low for ace marksman Wilkinson to force it over the line from close range.

The visitors felt they should have been given the chance of a lifeline when Billy Jones looked to be upended inside the area only for the referee to wave play on.

Bidgeway capitalised on a defensive mix-up to squeeze the ball inside the far post from the narrowest of angles before it looked game over when Franco seized on another mistake to make it 3-0 despite Adam Bishop's efforts to save.

Out of the blue Charley Clausen reduced the arrears with a looping header from Jay Darrell's long throw which dropped under the bar and just inside the upright.

The visitors gave a much better account of themselves in the second half with some adjustments and had an early chance to cut the deficit further, but Jones was thwarted by home keeper Locke from 12 yards.

Staplegrove were nowhere near as threatening as the Red & Blacks strove to get back into the game despite at one point midway through the half being down to men men with Brandon Walsh and Aerron Clausen in the sin bin within minutes of each other.

Good work from Riley Willis saw his cross headed the wrong side of an upright by Jones before his replacement, Josh Aspey, delivered another inviting centre which Adam Jefferies nodded wide of the other post.

In the closing stages Quick could have added salt to Watchet's wounds after rounding Bishop only for Charley Clausen to recover with a last ditch saving tackle and then Staplegrove's Hazeldine and Lewis Rogers were both shown a red card by the referee following an altercation.

The Grove then held on for the three points they needed to end the campaign top with Watchet having the consolation of knowing they are back up in the Premier Division after being relegated last season. 

Watchet own: Adam Bishop, Aerron Clausen, Jay Darrell, Eben Harding, Lewis Rogers, Brandon Walsh, Charley Clausen, Billy Jones, Alfie Cox, Adam Jefferies, Riley Willis. Used subs: Josh Aspey, Kieran Bailey, and Connor Jeromson. Watchet's A & P Farmer man of the match was Jay Darrell.