KELVIN Highmore praised his understrength side after their over an in-form Ilfracombe on Saturday.

The three visiting strikers, Glenn Armstrong, Ben Highmore and Gary Banks, all managed to get on the score sheet in a fairly one sided affair.

But the title-chasers had Ryan and Matt Pratley and midfield general Danny Jones missing as they were on a skiing holiday with Melksham's John O'Meara.

And the defensive pairing or Steve Casey (holiday) and Darren Smart (groin injury) were also absent.

Highmore is relived that his players are all back from their holidays before Calne take on bottom of the table Shepton Mallet on Saturday.

He is also encouraged by the news that Smart will start training this week and might feature in the first team in the next few weeks.

Ilfracombe have won this fixture for the last seven years in a row, they were unbeaten since November and with the backbone of his squad missing the manager was thrilled with his side's performance.

He said: "They played extremely well and had plenty of possession. Ilfracombe did not believe me when I told them we had five key players missing.

"Simon Gardner and Jake Jeffries came in and did exceptional. We have been hearing a lot about Ilfracombe's new striker Shaun Lewis, he is lightening quick and a skilful player but Simon dealt with him and kept him quiet all game.

"On the few occasions they managed to break our defence they found Gareth Evans in unstoppable form as he made two vital saves."

Radstock and Willand Rovers both picked up wins at the weekend but the manager is not worried and feels his side's title ambitions are in their own hands.

"We have to make the games in hand count. If all three of us win every game this season then we will still win the league," Highmore added.

Calne have some difficult games coming up but Highmore considers the top of the table clash at Radstock in two weeks as a massive game for the club.

"There are some big games coming up against neighbours Shrewton and Radstock and we have to be ready for them."

It took Calne just 22 minutes to take a well-deserved lead after dominating the opening of the match.

Gardner won the ball in the centre of the field and supplied Banks down the right hand side of the field.

After a 20 yard run he crossed for Highmore to drive low into the corner.

Just before the break Evans made a fine reaction save to deny striker Barry Yeo from ten yards.

With five minutes of the second half gone the lead was extended when a long ball out of the defence glanced off the head of an Ilfracombe defender and into the path of Armstrong, he went clear and rounded the keeper.

After surviving a goalmouth scramble in the 80th minute Calne broke and netted their third when Armstrong's cross was bundled in at the back post by Banks.