WATCHET Town failed to build on their previous week's result when they lost at home to bottom side Uphill Castle 2-1 in the Premier Division of the Uhlsport Somerset Football League.

A dismal first half showing from the Red & Blacks was only improved on too late in the day to make sufficient difference to the final outcome, enabling the visitors to draw level on points with their hosts.

With Vinnie Jones unavailable Watchet had converted defender Jamie Milton in goal and he soon showed himself to be accomplished in his new role. He was unfortunate when Uphill took a deserved lead with a strange goal as Ali Harrison's block tackle outside his area ballooned off an opponent's boot and crashed against the bar with Milton getting his fingertips to the ball but he was powerless to prevent Wilcox from tucking the rebound into an unguarded net.

With Watchet struggling to put passes together the Weston outfit pulled them around to fashion at least three more reasonable opportunities to add to their lead only to miss the target.

Billy Jones sent Watchet's best chance to date into the sidenetting before the home side received a golden invitation to draw level before the break. When Jones went tumbling inside the box the referee deliberated before awarding a penalty amid visiting protests, but the striker's spot kick was too close to the keeper and lacked power.

Watchet improved slightly after the interval, but they were left facing an uphill battle soon after the hour when Uphill added a second with the home defence in disarray.

The Red & Blacks finally woke up only for their finishing to be found wanting. Jay Darrell's free kick from 25 yards was too high before a header from Jones suffered similarly; he then fired high and wide before a snapshot from Alfie Lyons smacked against the bar.

With 15 minutes remaining the deficit was cut when Alfie Cox made inroads before slipping a pass for the unmarked Jones to sidefoot an angled shot into the far corner.

Uphill continued to threaten on the break, but Watchet went close to rescuing a point when Riley Willis embarked on a long run which took him past defenders to the byeline only for his cross to be deflected over the top by a defender.

A Willis corner was flicked on at the near post by Eben Harding and passed through the goalmouth with only a touch lacking before Jones volleyed the last shot of the game over the bar.

Watchet Town: Jamie Milton, Aerron Clausen, Ali Harrison, Eben Harding, Jay Darrell, Mikey Bailey, Connor Jeromson, Olly Prescott, Josh Aspey, Billy Jones, Alfie Lyons. Subs: Riley Willis Kieran Bailey Lewis Rogers Alfie Cox & Harvey Henderson (all used).