CONCORD Rangers fell to a fifth straight defeat in all competitions as a first half goal from Lee Lucas was enough to see fellow strugglers Taunton Town edge to a 1-0 win.

You got the impression that luck wasn't going to be on Concord's side early on when Ipswich Town loanee Alfie Cutbush, who was making his first start for the club, was forced off through injury after just seven minutes.

Six minutes later the Beach Boys, who were captained by Jack Thomas for the first time, came oh-so close to breaking the deadlock but found themselves denied by the upright.

Nana Kyei led a Concord counter-attack, sliding the ball down the line for Quentin Monville.

He then drilled a delivery across the face of goal to Lewis Manor who thumped an effort off the underside of the crossbar.

Unfortunately for the visitors the ball landed on the wrong side of the goal line and Taunton were able to clear their lines - denying Manor of a second goal in as many games.

Rob Small's side were left to rue this missed opportunity as just under 10 minutes later the home side took the lead.

The Peacocks delivered a cross similar to that of Monville's and the experienced Lucas was on hand to divert the ball into the back of the net from six yards out.

This was Lucas' second goal of the campaign as the Welshman redeemed himself for the red card he picked up against Ebbsfleet United on Saturday.

Just before the half hour mark Concord keeper Mitchell Beeney was called into action to prevent Taunton doubling their lead.

Zac Smith threaded the ball in behind for David Sims-Burgess and the former Bath City striker's shot from a narrow angle was parried away by Beeney with the 27-year-old reacting quickest to grab the loose ball.

The second period was much quieter in Somerset although Beeney was kept busy with the former England Under 19 international having to parry over a rasping Lucas volley and keep out an attempt from Smith at his near post.

Rangers were unable to muster up much of their own; a long range strike from Ricky Modeste that was smothered by Jack Bycroft was the best the Beach Boys could offer.

However two minutes into injury time Concord had huge penalty appeals waved away with referee Dale Wootton deeming the ball not to have struck the arm of a Taunton defender much to the frustration of the visitors.

Defeat for Concord Rangers leaves them rooted to the foot of the table; nine points from safety with four games in hand.

Furthermore the Beach Boys' wait for an away win at Taunton goes on with Concord losing at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium for the second time in their history.

Meanwhile a fourth win in 16 games for Taunton ends their five game losing streak at home, as a first win on home soil since January is enough to move the Peacocks up to 17th and seven points clear of the relegation zone with games in hand on all clubs below them bar Concord.

The Beach Boys have a short window of recovery before their busy Easter schedule.

Small's men travel to a Worthing side that have won once in their past six outings on Good Friday; before entertaining fifth place St Albans City on Easter Monday.