Somerset made a miserable start to the defence of their Coca-Cola First Division championship, going down to a Paul Cann goal on the stroke of half-time.

Despite the narrow scoreline, the manner of their defeat indicates that the Trojans may struggle to capture last season's form.

Dandy Town had most of the play and, but for woeful finishing, should have won this match by a street at Somerset Cricket Club. Walter Musson was the biggest culprit, missing several chances, including an open goal late in the second half.

After a slick move by the Dandy Town attack, Musson found himself 10 yards out with nobody between him and the net.

But he somehow contrived to hit the goalpost, much to the amusement of the home supporters, and was immediately substituted.

Town opened the match as if they were the champions, but failed to turn pressure into goals.

In the 15th minute, Kris Martin put Musson away down the left with a deft first-time pass.

For once, Musson managed to get in a commendable shot -- a hard, spinning effort, which almost squeezed into the narrowest of gaps between the post and Trojans goalkeeper Gladwin Edness.

Kris Martin should have scored on 38 minutes after being put through superbly by Cann but was thwarted by Edness racing out of his goal.

Just when it seemed that Somerset had survived the onslaught, the weather changed -- from sunshine to driving rain -- and so did their luck.

In the 44th minute, Troy Lewis flicked on a corner and Cann was waiting unmarked to head the ball home from five yards.

The Trojans, who should have received a roasting in the dressing room from coach Larry Hunt, made a storming start to the second half.

Kwame Tucker missed a golden opportunity to equalise in the opening seconds when he burst clear on the right but blasted his shot wildly over the bar with only 'keeper Cymande Davis to beat.

Moments later, Somerset were given an unexpected chance when referee Esten Curtis awarded an indirect free kick against Davis inside his own 18-yard box, apparently for taking too many steps.

But the botched Trojans attempt to capitalise on the mistake typified their afternoon and they quickly faded from the game.

As the blazing sun reappeared, so did the Dandy Town forward line who, led by Cann and Lewis, began to run a tired Somerset defence ragged.

In the 50th minute, Cann wriggled past two defenders near the six-yard box but shot right at the 'keeper, who had stayed on his line.

A few minutes later, Cann was in the thick of it again, unleashing a terrific shot from 20 yards out, which Edness did well to parry.

In the 65th minute, Musson was put through on the right but, instead of shooting from close in with only the 'keeper to beat, he wrongly decided to cut back inside and lost the ball.

His confidence shaken, Musson then went on to miss one of the easiest chances he will ever have in the top flight and was replaced by Darron Simons.

Somerset had one late chance to grab an undeserved equaliser but a well-timed, lunging tackle by Don Lewis prevented Rodney Bascome from getting in a shot when well placed.

Somerset: G.Edness, B.Simons, T.Dickenson, G.Cann (D.Basden, 52 mins), A.Burchall, A.Rahman, D.Binns, F.Simmons (C.Anderson, 60 mins), K.Tucker, R.Bascome, P.Place.

Dandy Town: C.Davis, L.Christopher, W.Rudo, D.Lewis, W.Campbell, D.Boyles (C.Smith, 68 mins), K.Martin, T.Lewis, P.Cann, W.Musson (D.Simons, 75 mins).

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Gladwin Edness (Somerset); Paul Cann (Dandy Town).

SLIPPING AWAY -- Dandy Town's Kris Martin, left, loses out to Andrew Rahman of Somerset in this midfield tussle yesterday.