SCREWFIX FIRST DIVISION: MIDFIELDER Gary Smart recovered from a 'flu bug to fire Calne back into the First Division's top three at Bremhill View on Saturday.

The former Swindon Supermarine youngster scored the winning goal on the hour as high flying Calne heaped more relegation misery onto struggling visitors Ilfracombe.

The home side might have won more convincingly had it not been for some poor finishing and manager Kelvin Highmore was happy to see his side return to winning ways.

He said: "It doesn't matter if it is 1-0 or 10-0, it is three points at the end of the day.

"We were patient on Saturday. It didn't go our way in the first half, but we got our just desserts when Gary Smart scored on the hour.

"The scoreline might have been very different. Matt Pratley has missed an absolute sitter and both Glenn Armstrong and James Lye went close.

"But we're well pleased with the result. Obviously we would have liked to have played better as it is always nice to win in style by three or four."

Smart, Ben Highmore and defender Andy Towers were all struggling with 'flu in the run up to the game, but all three played their part in Calne's win.

Said Highmore: "The problem has been hanging around the club and doesn't seem to be going away.

"Gary Smart had been sick all week and it was touch and go whether he started. He made the choice and it was the right one because he scored the goal.

"Andy Towers was another one struggling, so to turn in the performance he did was even more impressive. He and Darren Smart were brilliant at the back."

After a non-eventful first half, Calne raced out of the blocks after the interval and Glenn Armstrong shot over from Matt Pratley's cross on 46 minutes.

Calne had their first effort on target seconds later, when Andy Towers' header from a James Lye corner was cleared off the line by Ilfracombe's Steve Hobbs.

The tricky Chris Webster twice went close for the visitors, but it was Calne who seized the lead on 60 minutes through Smart.

Lye won a free kick on the left and, when Armstrong's centre was only half cleared, the ball broke for Smart to bundle the loose ball home with his left foot.

Conditions had deteriorated due to a downpour after half time, and the Devon side adjusted better to the increasingly heavy surface.

Calne were forced into a desperate rearguard action in the closing minutes, but some fine handling from goalkeeper Daryll Simms and the form of Towers and Darren Smart ensured victory for the hosts.

Westbury United's draw against Exmouth saw Calne return to third in the table, although both their Wiltshire rivals and Hallen are a point behind with three games in hand.

Calne will be looking for another home win on Saturday when struggling Minehead visit Bremhill View.

The Somerset outfit moved off the bottom of the table with a 3-1 victory over Street on Saturday and Highmore believes his players cannot afford to be complacent.

He said: "They've jumped up a few places and will be scrapping for the points.

"It will be a difficult game and we'll be treating them with the same level of respect we would if we were playing Torrington or Exmouth.

"We've just got to try and keep on winning. On paper, we have the easiest run-in of the sides around us, but we'll find it hard because teams will see our good run and come to our place looking to spoil things."