DEFEATS for Division Two leaders Broughton Gifford Reserves and Warminster Town Reserves have opened the door for three Division Three sides of last term to battle out another promotion campaign.

Unbeaten trio North Bradley Saints, Bradford United and Trowbridge United look strong candidates for back-to-back promotion bids to the top flight and this week's resignation of Bradford Sports may mean a place for all three come next May.

Warminster's 2-0 reverse at Dursley Arms, where early goals from Alan Stevens and Mark Thompson secured rejuvenated Arms their third successive victory in four unbeaten matches, cost Town second spot, albeit on a slender goal difference.

Deverills Reserves leap-frogged into second place through Wayne Sprangle's 15-minute decisive strike in a hard fought contest at Gifford who remain top on goal difference.

At the other end of the table it is still blank for Lavington and Easterton despite Liam McCourt carving out an interval lead against Bratton, who responded with goals from Martyn Cox, Stuart Neate and Jamie Bloor for a 3-1 success.

The biggest surprise of the day came from Rowde Sports who held leaders Seend United Reserves to their first draw of the season.

Tim Knight's outfit displayed great character in fighting back twice for a share in the 2-2 spoils. Anthony Jenkins, in his first game back since long-term injury, wiped out Rob O'Harrow's first half opener for Seend who regained the lead through free kick specialist Nigel Hall before Royston Aust grabbed a 75th minute equaliser.

Castle Combe, who beat Seend the previous week, are just two points behind the leaders. Shawn House, who scored 40 goals last season, netted his first trio of the new campaign with Tyrone Prades consolidating a 4-0 win over Hilperton Reserves, who were saved from a heavier defeat when Matt Thompson hit the woodwork.

Combe are one of seven teams separated by just three points. Two of them are newcomers, FC Northbridge and Dilton Marsh, who, like Rowde, fought back for a 2-2 draw.

Jamie Starr gave Northbridge an ideal start before Dilton's Neil Hannaford levelled. Jon Taylor, with his fifth goal in five starts, restored Northbridge's lead only for Mark Jones to produce a fair result of a very even contest.

The clash of the basement sides proved a scrappy affair at windy Jubilee Field between Bromham Reserves and Semington Magpies. Ben Phillips put Magpies ahead after 20 minutes, but their hopes of building on last week's first win were dashed when Stuart Wootton levelled before the break and Steve Escott clinched Bromham a 2-1 win on the hour.

There were no surprises in the Revolutions CafeBar-sponsored Knockout Cup second round with former record breaking holders Broughton Gifford heading a goal avalanche by the more fancied sides as they swept away Westbury United A 9-1.

Steve Munday's late first half equaliser following Tom Staddon's opener on the half hour, gave United a chance of a major upset but that evaporated in the second half as Gifford rattled in eight through Chris Stiles (3), Wayne Bristow (2) Staddon, Adam Gingell and John Hubbard.

Steeple Ashton also found themselves crushed by top flight opposition in The Deverills. Their former Forest Green Rovers' goalkeeper Justin Shuttlewood was virtually unemployed as Ashton lost 8-0. Ashton punished from two early corners never recovered with Rowan King, Ross Twitchen, and Scott Gallazi (2) scoring inside 25 minutes. Gallazi completed his hat-trick with Oliver Worts, Aaron Stevens and Darren Munro adding four more after the break.

Division Three Frome Town Sports, despite Ross Ellis reducing a 2-0 deficit at one stage, never escaped punishment themselves as North Bradley Saints hit seven, two headers from Chris Gale and singles from Nick Korynevsky and Andy Colebrooke giving Saints a 4-1 interval lead. Chris Fardell added a fifth before Colebrooke completed his hat-trick.

There was a third four-goal first half cup spree at Seend where doubles from Ralph Plummer and Barry Holloway resulted in a comprehensive 5-0 defeat for Division One strugglers Blue Circle. Dave Castle added to Circle's misery after the break.

In another all-Division One affair, Heytesbury failed to reproduce their cup exploits of the previous week as Castle Combe bounced back from their county cup defeat by Saints to win 3-1.

In a controversial tie James Pope put Combe ahead before Jamie Winks doubled the advantage from the spot. Pope made it three before Darren Guy notched a consolation for Heytesbury.

The tie came at Hilperton and it could have been closer still but for Steve Fox having a penalty saved by Bradford United goalkeeper Aiden Bell with the home side trailing 2-1.

Alex Edwards had given Bradford, an interval lead but good work by Samir Naji resulted in Tarick Yachou equalising before Jason Uncles grabbed a 2-1 win for Bradford.