BOSS Matty Holmes defended Toby Holmes after the striker missed a penalty – and scored – in the 2-1 defeat at high-fliers Taunton.

The frontman scored a cheeky Panenka penalty to earn Magpies a point at table-toppers Hereford on Saturday.

But there was no repeat in Somerset as his tame second-half spot-kick was easily saved by Taunton keeper Lloyd Irish.

Goals from Matt Wright and Matt Buse had given the Peacocks a 2-0 lead at the break before Toby Holmes pulled one back following Carl Preston's defence-splitting pass.

But the penalty miss 22 minutes from time proved crucial.

Boss Matty Holmes said: "I think as he ran up Toby was in four or five minds rather than two.

"He apologised to us afterwards but he scored the first goal which got us back into the game and he has been doing that all season.

"Strikers miss penalties, it's about how they respond."

The manager added: "I think we were lucky to go in only 2-0 down. I was disappointed with our application and I felt we got bossed a little bit in terms of their physicality and the way we played.

"At half-time we told the boys a few home truths – in a nice way – and what delighted me was that they responded and were magnificent in the second half.

"If we had scored the penalty, we could have gone on to win the game.

"I think they will go up with Hereford and for us to go to both those sides and nearly get a point in both games speaks volumes for how the boys are performing."

Magpies: Benfield, Penny, Hester, Maybury, S Davidson, Kellaway, Preston, L Holmes, T Holmes, Cann, Lovell (J Davidson, 70). Unused subs: Stokoe, Walker, Walker-Harris.