CRAWLEY Town dispelled any theories that their appearance at the top of the Dr Martens Premier Division was a one-off after an emphatic 4-0 win at Chelmsford City on Monday night.

Crawley had beaten previous leaders Weymouth 2-1 at home on Saturday in front of an awesome 4,500 crowd, a Dr Martens League record.

But the last time they beat Weymouth they lost their next game at Grantham.

A rampant performance on Monday though showed the club have genuine title ambitions and they will arrive at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday determined to keep the four-point distance between themselves and the chasing pack.

But they are likely to be without striker Charlie Macdonald, who scored a hat-trick at Chelmsford City. Macdonald is facing a ban after picking up five bookings for the season.

Influential defender defender Marc Pullan could also be suspended following his sending off at Stafford a fortnight ago. Both bans have yet to be confirmed by the FA.

Crawley have plenty of know-how in midfield. Peter Fear, 28. was a capture from last season's Dr Martens champions Kettering Town.

As the Fulham Football in the Community officer wanted to join a club nearer to his Sutton home.

He is best remembered for his seven years at Wimbledon where he made 88 appearances. He also spent a further three years at Oxford United.

Also in midfield is Dubliner Paul Armstrong, who scored his ninth goal of the season against Weymouth. He signed for Crawley from Scottish league side Airdrie United after relocating to Sussex.

He began his career as a trainee at Brighton and made 56 appearances for the Seagulls. He moved north of the border in September 2000, becoming a popular member of the Diamonds side in the Scottish First Division, and played against a full-strength Rangers team in a league cup tie.

Striker Joff Vansittart signed for the Reds in May 2003 from Conference side Farnborough. He spent four years at Crawley as a youngster, making his first-team debut at the age of 16. He then moved to Sutton United in 1995 and then to Dover Athletic where he made over 100 appearances before Farnborough secured his services in 2001. A proven goalscorer in the Conference, Joff turned down an approach from Third Division Oxford United to rejoin the Reds.

If Macdonald is suspended he is likely to be joined up front by Allan Tait, who rejoined Crawley last Thursday from Dr Martens League Eastern Division side Folkestone Invicta. Tait was among the league's leading scorers when Folkestone were relegated from the Premier Division last season.

The two teams last met on November 1 in what was to be Tommy Saunders' last game in charge.

Armstrong and Vansittart put Crawley ahead and Chippenham's woes were deepened when Mark Harrington was sent off.

Chippenham looked as if they were going to pull off a remarkable result when Scott Walker and Nathan Edwards scored but Crawley's Fabian Forde headed n 80th minute winner t break the Bluebirds' hearts.