WATCHET Town bowed out of the Somerset County League Knockout Cup when they went down by two goals to nil to Ilminster Town at the Memorial Ground.

Giving a slightly improved performance on their previous showing the Red & Blacks lost by the same margin to their high-flying opponents in their earlier league encounter at Ilminster.

The confident visitors took the early initiative and soon demonstrated why they are currently occupying second place in the Premier Division. Apart from a  hopeful long range effort from Alfie Lyons the home side were spending most of their time in their own half trying to repel some lively attacking.

There were some hairy moments, particularly from well-delivered set pieces, before Watchet seemed to have weathered the brunt of the storm until a freak goal rocked them leaving an uphill battle.

A hopeful punt forward from the halfway line by full back Pearson sent the ball sailing into the home penalty box where the last ditch attempt from keeper Vinnie Jones failed to prevent it from dropping under the bar and into the net.

Sensing that their shaken hosts were there for the taking Ilminster swarmed forward and soon doubled their lead when a cross from the right by Phillips picked out Borges to shoot first time low into the net from 12 yards.

Watchet refused to crumble after this, however, and put together an attractive passing move started in their own half which ended with Brandon Walsh's crossfield ball being volleyed narrowly wide by Lyons.

The second half was a more even affair with Watchet huffing and puffing without getting far while the visitors appeared to take their foot off the gas a little. Jones was still called upon to make a few impressive saves to keep the scoreline within sight and as the half wore on the Red & Blacks fashioned a couple of half chances which might have set up an unlikely last period of the game.

Injuries forced changes in the home ranks with substitute Alfie Cox's pace causing a few problems on the left and from his cross Kieran Bailey could not make firm enough contact with his head. The same player had another effort blocked inside the area before a free kick from Eben Harding had the visiting keeper leaping at full stretch to turn it over the top for his one serious piece of action.

Proceedings ended much as they had started with Ilminster in control and booking a relatively comfortable passage into the next round.

Watchet Town: Adam Jones, Charley Clausen, Eben Harding, Jay Darrell, Lewis Rogers, Aerron Clausen, Brandon Walsh, Kieran Bailey, Josh Aspey, Alfie Lyons, Billy Jones. Subs: Alfie Cox, Harvey Henderson, Riley Pope & Aaron Deeks (all used). Watchet's A & P Farmer MOM was Jay Darrell