It wasn't ever mentioned after the first round stuffing of Darlo but that was our first ever victory in any cup competition since Taylor arrived. Whether he or Colin Murphy was actually 'in charge' that night, or last night, is open to debate, but the fact is the run didn't last very long. We lost out to The Iron (smirk) in an entertaining game with a reserve team on duty and with only 10 men for a big part of the second half.

The Tigers took to the field in front of a healthy 6,600 crowd. At this point I was hoping to vent my spleen about the visitors attire (claret and blue being one of my least favourite combos) but I am thwarted as the Iron filed on in a rather smart red affair with dark blue sleeves. But thankfully the keeper had not let me down. Light blue, pale blue, sky blue, call it what you will, but it's not a colour for sporting activities. It looks like either the item was originally royal blue but is now so old and has been boil washed so many times it has faded a dozen or so shades, or it should actually be white but has been washed with one rogue dark blue sock. Either way it bears far too much of a resemblence to the colour of the sample liquid they use in adverts for panty liners. For that reason alone it should never be allowed anywhere near a footie pitch.

It was something of a shock then when the Scunts broke forward and scored with their first real attack. One of theirs wriggled his way into the box, right hand side, evaded a couple of clumsy challenges and was allowed to get a cross in. Fettis dived out and half claimed it, we had chances to hoof it clear but in the end it fell kindly to the old lump Torpey who hammered it into the top right hand corner from about 12 yards. Another tick in the column marked 'costly and calamitous group defending'.

It didn't knock us out of our stride though as we controlled the rest of the half and created enough chances to go in ahead at the interval. We'd been forced into a re-shuffle in midfield after France limped off. Russell Fry came on into a central position and Melton was moved out wide. One or two 'tasty' challenges had started to appear and it actually seemed like I was watching a match that mattered. One further crunching hack on the halfway line by one of theirs looked to have cranked the temperature up a notch further but the ref did well to allow the advantage after a swift, clinical pass put Webb through on goal. He advanced into the box and seemed to have gone past the keeper but the shot was partially smothered and then cleared off Price's toes by a covering defender. Minutes later we swung in yet another cross from the left that Price did well to hold up in the area. Webb lept in and hit an overhead kick a yard or so over the bar.

I was impressed with Price in an attacking role. He did well as a target and was always willing to chase back and hassle opponents out of possession. His persistence set up the final chance of the half as he dispossessed a Scunt and played it into the path of Andy Holt. His chipped cross was met, on the penalty spot, by Melton (yes, Melton) who had ghosted in from the far side but he glanced his header just the wrong side of the far post.

We began the second half having made a straight swap at right back. Hinds on for Joseph, who could have had no complaints having had a poor 45 looking hesitant defensively and offering nothing going forward. Twice Price looked to have got beyond the visitors back four in the opening spell but on both occasions he was hauled back by the lino's flag. The second one in particular looked very close. Price was now starting to look distinctly weary and far less effective than he had done before the break. And the Iron were taking the game to us far more convincingly too. Only a well-timed interception and clearance from Peat stopped a clear opening inside the area after more ineffective defensive headers. Then, midway through the second half, came a series of events that left us initially concerned, then optimistic, but which eventually proved to be crucial. Firstly, Price was replaced by Donaldson; our third substitution. Seconds later Melton went down under a crude challenge and was stretchered off after a lengthy period of treatment. But then, with just the ten men, we snatched an equaliser. Holt, still pushing forward, fed Webb to the left of the box 20 yards out. He cut inside his marker and hit a low strike beyond the keeper and in off the foot of the left hand post. Quality finish, no argument.

But unfortunately it was to be the only bit of attacking quality we showed in tired and frustrating second half. Peat again came to the rescue when Torpey looked to have a free header at the back post but our lively junior nipped in to head away for a corner. The flag kick was met by an unchallenged visitor and his header had beaten Fettis but was cleared off the line by the man stationed on the far post. Going forward, we struggled. Donaldson looked unsure of his first touch and the depleted midfield wasn't able to get up and support any longer. Webb continued to bustle around but the Iron curtain of the visitors back four stood firm. So no real surprise that the Scunts went on to win it. A free kick was chipped into the box, inside right channel, and two deft flicks had the ball inside the area and over our centre halves for one of theirs to time his run perfectly and flick a calm finish past Fetts.

The lead was almost extended further when a quick break-away, starting from the keeper, moved the ball from right to left and a good knock down resulted in a floated shot that just cleared the bar and landed on the roof of the net. They did finally make it three in added on time when a strike from about 25 yards took a big, big deflection and looped over our stranded Ulsterman and under the bar.

So what can we take from this entertaining evening of football ? Well, Peat looked one for the (not too distant) future. Holt was impressive again; energetic, committed and effective. And it was only the reserves after all. But I still worry about the defence. Dawson and Delaney would be sure starters for the first XI but the recent drop in form from Sarge Whittle and the awfulness of Joseph mean that the other two spots are becoming a concern.

Webb ? Yeah, he took his goal well but I can't find it in me to like him because he is, simply, a dirty player. And dangerously dirty to boot. He's always got his hand in someone's face or round their neck and every leap is led with an elbow. Sorry, Danny boy, even though I'd hate you to be playing against us, I don't want you to be playing for us either.