In the words of County manager Peter Beadle: "It was the same old story," as his side began 2006 in much the same way as they played in 2005, losing a game they should have drawn at the very least.

But it is no use making excuses or blaming bad luck as County were once again the architects of their own downfall.

The sorry record at Weston now shows just four draws from 11 visits and though County belied their lowly league position with some attractive build-up play their manager has a stern warning for his squad.

"There are no excuses. We were the better team for most of the second half but once again we came away with nothing and if had not been for the failure of other teams we could have gone to the bottom with this defeat.

"We are clearly in a scrap to avoid the drop and either the players are up for it or I'll bring others in. "I expect more resilience and we have to be better than what we are."

In 17 year-old Tyrone Toppar County had the most threatening forward on the field and the Hartridge Academy product sparked wild celebrations on and off the field when he found space to head them in front in the 24th minute from a Lee Jenkins cross after a corner on the right.

Weston had been the more threatening side up to that point and they were level three minutes later when Jon French struck emphatically from the penalty spot after County keeper Tony Pennock had brought down Matt Rawlins.

Pennock must take full responsibility for being drawn so far out from his goal and the challenge rightly earned him a yellow card.

But Toppar threatened every time County gave him possession and he sold the most exquisite dummy to Mark McKeever to set up a chance for Craig Hughes two minutes before half-time only for Ryan Northmore in the home goal to occupy the one place where he could block the header.

Country started the second half slowly before camping in Weston territory for long spells but they made very few scoring chances, Toppar striking the side netting from the best of them.

Surprisingly Beadle made two substitutions at a time when County looked good for at least a draw and they then switched off at a Weston corner allowing McKeever a free header to net the winner.

The charity must end next Saturday when County visit Carshalton, one of the two sides beneath them in the table.

Many of the 400-strong County following expressed anger at the half-baked segregation employed by Weston who placed the away support in an uncovered area without facilities in the first half, before the County fans took over the terrace behind the goal designated for the home support after half-time.

Weston: Northmore, Rand, Walker (Robertson 89), Jarman, Holland, Rose, French, Hogg, Rawlins, Brown, McKeever. Subs not used: Hawkins, Mawford, Bailey, Parkins. Scorers: French (27 pen), McKeever (84). Cautions: Jarman (56), Rose (68) Rand (80) - all for fouls

County: Pennock, T Evans, Bater, Jenkins, Warton, Hillier, Davies, Williams (O'Sullivan 78), Green, Hughes (Belle 78), Toppar. Subs not used: D Evans, Hearne, Bradley. Scorer: Toppar (24) Cautions: Pennock (26), Bater (32) - both for fouls

Referee: Carl Williams (Gloucestershire) Attendance: 680