CALNE'S promotion hunt stayed on course with a hard fought derby win over Biddestone on Tuesday night.

The victory came as Calne came under fire from town councillors for their decision not to relocate to a new ground at Beversbrook.

Club chairman Steve Walker revealed they would prefer to stay put at Bremhill, their home of more than 40 years despite Calne Town Council's work to make the move possible.

Deputy mayor Cathy Bowyer said she was appalled by the decision. Coun Mercy Baggs was angry that the decision had been revealed at a meeting with councillors to discuss funding for the move. Walker said the club has spent so much unupgrading its Bremhill ground it would be a shame to demolish it.

On Tuesday Biddestone put up a determined fight until defender Steve Casey broke through on the stroke of half time.

Second half goals from striker Matt Pratley and midfielder Ben Moore completed the victory and gave Calne their third straight win to leave them just two points behind Radstock, who are occupying the second promotion spot.

Home manager Kelvin Highmore had set his side a target of six wins from the last six games, with nine points out of nine they are half way through that target.

Highmore said: "All we can do is keep winning, it is still out of our hands and we are waiting for Radstock to slip up."

Biddestone only had pride to play for as their future in the Screwfix league is guaranteed due to no relegation.

Highmore feared before the game that the visitors had an advantage.

"Considering the circumstances we did extremely well.

"They have nothing to lose so the rest of their season revolved around this game and beating us, all the pressure was on us to win.

"We stuck at it and Biddestone finally lost their shape."

Biddestone manager Gary Skidmore heaped praise on young keeper Chris Snoody after he made a string of saves in the first half.

He said: "He has come on a lot this season and if it were not for him we could have lost by five or six.

"I'm disappointed we did not do enough but their movement caused us problems."

For the opening 45 minutes Calne, who were missing the suspended Kevin Banks, were camped in the Biddestone half but they came up against a brick wall in the form of Snoddy.

The keeper plucked cross after cross out of the air and even stretched out to guide a long ball away from the head of Pratley in spectacular fashion.

But Snoddy's efforts were in vain as Casey arrived at the unguarded back post to side foot in James Lye's corner with just a few seconds of the half remaining.

Things went downhill from there and Calne doubled their lead 15 minutes after the interval when a long ball bounced in front of Pratley and he smashed home from 15 yards into the far corner.

From there the Biddestone players let their heads drop and allowed Calne to retain possession.

And it was only a matter of time before a Calne attack resulted in another goal. The third came in the 72nd minute when Moore chased a loose ball in the box and found the net via a deflection.

Biddestone pressed for a consolation and winger Paul Poiner volleyed into the net only to have it ruled out for offside .