WANTAGE Town’s woes continued when they suffered a heavy 9-0 defeat at home to Taunton Town.

The Alfredians conceded six goals in the first half, as they remain second from bottom in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West.

The heavy defeat came just days after Stuart Cattell stepped down as manager but he stayed on as a player, with assistant Ben Sadler taking charge.

Cattell started, but could not prevent Taunton putting Wantage to the sword in the first half.

Owen Irish scored a hat-trick, with Ross Staley (2) and Craig Duff also on target.

The hosts kept the visitors at bay for the first 20 minutes of the second half, but Matt Wright and Duff made it 8-0, before Staley completed his treble.

Didcot Town battled back from 3-1 down to a earn a 3-3 draw at Shortwood United.

The Railwaymen took the lead on five minutes, when Sam Barder’s effort was misjudged by goalkeeper Rhys Lovett and ended up in the back of the net.

Lovett made up for his mistake moments later to deny Conor Davis and kept out a header from one of his own defenders at the resulting corner.

Despite Didcot’s pressure, Shortwood equalised on eight minutes when Ross Langworthy rounded goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell and fired home.

The hosts then went in front ten minutes later, when Will Morford headed home.

Jake Lee made it 3-1 on 40 minutes, but Ben Whitehead struck on the stroke of half-time to reduce the deficit.

Didcot continued the pressure in the second half and levelled on the hour mark, when Whitehead netted from a tight angle.

Both sides searched for a winner, but they were forced to share the spoils.

Didcot Tn: Bedwell, Elkins, Barney, Benjamin, Organ, Learoyd, Barder (Thomas 90), McNish, B Whitehead, Joyce, Davis (Janes 90+2). Subs not used: H Whitehead, Ballard.

Attendance: 76.

North Leigh suffered a 4-1 defeat at home to third-placed Evesham United.

The Millers created the first opportunity in the second minute, when Bradley Gray’s cross found an offside George Seacole, who headed over from five yards.

North Leigh goalkeeper Manny Agboola was called into action on 14 minutes, but Lance Smith’s header was straight at the on-loan Oxford United custodian.

Despite an even opening period, Evesham took control with two goals in the space of seven minutes.

Carl Brown found the bottom corner from 20 yards to open the scoring on the quarter-of-an-hour mark and Smith made it 2-0 with a fierce effort.

Jamie Cook then screwed an effort wide as North Leigh looked to hit back before the break.

Despite fog developing, the referee allowed the second half to begin after an inspection.

The visitors quickly made it 4-0, when Garyn Preen netted from close range and Smith notched his second on 48 minutes.

Seacole grabbed a consolation on 55 minutes as the Millers now turn their attention to tomorrow’s FA Trophy first-round replay against South Park.

North Leigh: Agboola, Platt, M Williams (D James 11), Turk (R James 73), Fawke, Sysum, Gray, L Williams, Seacole, Cook, Murphy. Subs not used: Else, M Woodley, Thompson.

Attendance: 142.