AN organised performance saw Calne Town move into the second automatic promotion spot on Saturday.

The hard-fought victory over struggling Saltash United allowed Calne to leapfrog promotion rivals Radstock after their draw at Ilfracombe.

Home fans saw their side's sixth home victory in a row as Calne repeatedly got in behind the Saltash defence with embarrassing ease during the first half hour.

But chances were squandered as Matt Pratley, Gary Banks, James Lye and Ben Moore all missed clear openings.

Almost inevitably Saltash grabbed the lead through a 33rd minute Brian Jefferies curled free kick from 25 yards.

Jubilation turned sour for Saltash as Calne hit back within a minute when Banks drove in a low shot after racing on to a long ball from Darren Smart.

Calne boss Kelvin Highmore was pleased with his side's response.

"We should have been four or five goals up but we wasted some gilt-edged chances,'' he said.

"Their keeper has made some stunning saves to keep them in it and then, against the run of play, they scored one of the best free kicks I've seen. My guys showed great character and within 30 seconds we were one each.

"Gary scored the hardest one of the lot. The ball's gone over the top, he's done the defender for pace and then with the first touch he's brought it down and with the second touch he's smashed it past the keeper. It set us up for the second half but it did not go according to the script."

Highmore also praised their opponents for their second half performance.

"In the second half they changed their tactics a little bit and it worked for them and they played well,'' he said.

"But we were just very organised and the team worked hard to get the ball back. It could have gone better but you have to give respect to the other team."

Calne went ahead in the 42nd minute when a diagonal run by goal scorer Banks saw him retain possession long enough to thread the ball through to Lye whose low shot nestled in the back of the net.

The second half saw Calne pushed back as they protected their lead and hit Saltash wit counterattacks.

With two minutes left they killed off the game when Moore sent Glenn Armstrong clear.

The striker ran down the left before unselfishly laying the ball back for Owen Bryan to fire home.

With no games in midweek Highmore said his players would be glad for the rest. We have been playing two games a week for some time now and we will be having a training session and a couple of lads will be having a massage to get them ready.

"With Radstock drawing maybe it was the little bit of good fortune we need wit two difficult games coming up."

Darren Smart's groin injury is a slight concern but Highmore expects the defender to play in the coming games.

"At one point on Saturday he said he wanted to come off so we warmed up the subs and he then decided he was okay.

"When you are second in the league and in the semi-final, these injuries have a way of clearing up enough to play.

"He joined the club as a 16-year-old and he's now 21 and our longest serving play and it would be lovely for the lad to be involved."

Calne's travel to Weston St Johns on Saturday while Radstock face bottom side Shepton Mallet at home.