CALNE brought their season to a close on a winning note as a last-minute strike saw them beat Chard on their own sloping pitch.

Both teams had chances to take the lead throughout the close game but the match was only decided deep into second half injury time.

Chard blew their chance of the three points when they hit the post from an open goal and within a minute James Lye had fired the winner from Gary Banks' knock down.

Manager Kelvin Highmore said: "They never really caused us any problems. In the first half we were kicking up their famous slope but before the game I had told our boys to just put the slope out of their minds and play like they normally do.

"I think we probably deserved to come in 2-0 at half-time but at 0-0 on that slope I was happy.

"But we were caught out in second half. Psychogically players think it is easier going down a slope but Chard's left a lad on the right-wing and he was gambling on long balls.

"He was causing us a few problems and they went close a few times. On chances it could have been 2-2.''

Calne's winner came in the fifth minute of stoppage time and Highmore said it was a pleasing way to finish the season.

"In the second half our midfield was non-existent at times and with 15 minutes to go we had to change something,'' he added.

"It was the last game of season and Chard were having the better of it so we threw on Glenn Armstrong and went 3-4-3.

"We started getting in behind them again and got the winning through Lye. I hadn't realised how late it was and I thought the time was up.

"Chard have hit the post and then we've gone down the other end and got the winner with the last kick off the game.

"It was an injustice to them but football is harsh sometimes and we've had it happen to us this season.

"It was great to win the last game of the season and we had a nice journey home.''

Calne played well in the first half as they attacked up the slope. Gary Banks looked lively and was twice denied by excellent saves after being put through by James Lye and Ryan Pratley.

After the break Chard came back into it and Ryan Pratley was caught out on a couple of occasions as the Chard right-winger hugged the touchline and looked to latch onto long balls forward.

But Calne's defence held out and the game was not decided until stoppage time. The referee added on an extra 30 seconds for all the substitutions made and played five extra minutes in total.

Chard thought they were going to snatch victory as a cross into the box caught goalkeeper Darryl Simms out of position but the home side's striker struck the post with the goal gaping.

Calne went up the other end and immediately won a free-kick after Kevin Banks was fouled. He picked himself up and drilled the deadball into the area where his brother Gary knocked the ball down for Lye to volley home the winner.

The result leaves Calne in ninth place and Highmore said it had been another important season of consolidation for the club.

"We've finished in the top ten which is good,'' he added. "Halfway through the season we realised things were not going to happen to a certain degree after losing Ben Highmore to Corsham and other things.

"Now we are starting to build for next year. Hopefully we can keep the players on board and add a couple more.

"We proved this season that on our day we can match the top teams. We can compete with them and we've got good footballers in our side. We are just two players short I feel.

"People were expecting big things from us this year after we came fifth last year. But what is important is that we've got stability now.

"We are respected by other teams in the league and we are hoping to push on next year.

"We are disappointed with our final position but it was good to beat Chard and end the season on a winning note.''