CORSHAM manager Colin Bush was left to rue a series of missed chances that he believes has stopped his team from earning maximum points from three match winning performances.

He saw his side dominate large chunks of this hectic derby but still come away with nothing as Devizes, led by stand-in boss John Freegard, made the most of their chances then held out against tremendous second-half pressure.

Bush said: "The second half was a mirror image of our first two games where we failed to capitalise on good football. We could have been three or four down at half time but easily scored five or six in the second. The team was always capable of turning the game around

"Devizes defended well but rode their luck at times. My side have performed outstandingly and I am not disheartened in any way by the results."

Freeguard thinks that his players fought hard not to concede a goal. He said: "We stood up to an aerial bombardment. We knew what was coming, we dealt with it and our players held firm. Our lads did well and I am delighted. Corsham really came at us in the second half but we played some great stuff as well."

Corsham were missing the injured Nigel Curtis to a groin strain picked up against Melksham last week . Bush said his captain was badly missed.

It took Devizes ten minutes to break the deadlock. Colin Towler headed a cross away but it was picked up by Nick Mooney, who thumped back a shot that crashed in off the post.

Devizes almost doubled their lead from a set piece on 25 minutes.

Mark Cherry battled with the Corsham keeper and headed it in but the ref disallowed it for a foul.

On 35 minutes Dave Killmurray blaze wide as Corsham pushed for an equaliser.

Corsham's Alan Griffin had an opportunity to level the scores on 40 minutes when his volleyed effort flew over the bar.

Two minutes after that Devizes doubled their lead. Mooney's picked out Kevin Bush in the centre totally unmarked for a free header.

The lack of concentrating angered Bush. He said: "I was very disappointed with their second goal. Our defenders should have done so much better."

Almost bang on the stroke of half time Griffin put the home side back in the game when he collected the ball, turned and drove home an unstoppable shot.

Bush fired his side up with some strong words during the break and they responded an excellent display of football for 45 minutes.

Their best effort came when Frank Obewan put the ball through after the 70 minute mark. It found Alan Griffin but his headed attempt just missed the far post.

Eight minutes from time Griffin had a chance to level the scores but Andy King's feet saved his low drive.

Freegard was happy to have won the game after the aerial assault that his players endured in the second half.

He said: "I agree with Colin Bush that we did ride out luck at times but the lads showed great composure to keep Corsham out."

"I'm even more happy that we gained our first points of the season. We just have to see where the next ones are coming from. It's great to see them on the board, we just need to follow this up with a another win."

Corsham faced a mid week road trip away to Keynsham Town last night and then are away from home again at Bideford on Saturday.