MISSED chances again proved costly for Devizes Town as league leaders Brislington maintained their 100 per cent Premier Division record with victory at Nursteed Road on Saturday 28 September.

A first half penalty from former Chippenham Town man Noel O'Sullivan turned out to be the winner as Devizes went down to their first league reverse under the stewardship of new boss Ray Baverstock.

The hosts had a goal disallowed and a cast-iron penalty appeal turned down after the interval, and Baverstock felt his side could have taken maximum points from the clash.

He said: "I didn't think Brislington were that good a side and we had plenty of chances to win the game.

"Our goalkeeper didn't have an awful lot to do, although they were quite well organised. We should have taken something from the game and there is absolutely no doubt we deserved to.

"They only scored thanks to a rash challenge by Jim Griffin inside the area and we more than matched them on the day. We have just got to start putting our chances away."

Despite his disappointment at the scoreline, Baverstock was far from unhappy with the way his side performed against a side with seven wins in seven outings this term.

He said: "We played okay at times and haven't got to be disheartened by it at all. We've just got to keep our shape and keep plugging away."

Devizes were left to rue some wasteful finishing inside the opening 15 minutes as first Dave Slattery and then Steve Richardson both blazed over from inside the area following good work from Dave Godley.

Jim Griffin, booked inside two minutes, was then fortunate to stay on the field when he conceded a needless penalty, O'Sullivan converting from the spot to give the visitors the lead.

Another former Chippenham man, Neil Rosslee, almost doubled his side's advantage early in the second half but was foiled by an excellent challenge from Matty Goodwin.

Rosslee then appeared to handle the ball inside his own area, only for the referee to ignore the Devizes players' cries for a penalty.

The referee then further endeared himself to the home contingent when he disallowed a Richardson strike in the closing minutes.

Godley's effort was well saved by goalkeeper Richard Ollis and Richardson followed up to score, only to see his effort chalked off by an offside flag.

Brislington had an effort cleared off the line in the last minute, but O'Sullivan's first half goal proved enough to take all three points back to Bristol.

Baverstock was frustrated by the two crucial refereeing decisions that cost his side at least a point in the second period. He said: "Steve Richardson has followed in Dave Godley's shot and has been judged offside. That was a peculiar one because I thought he was running in when Dave had the original shot. We should also have had a penalty. It was so obvious that the ball has hit the player's hand, it was a joke.

"Everyone has seen it bar the linesman and the referee, but it has gone now and we've just got to get on with it."

Baverstock's men take on Dawlish Town at Nursteed Road on Saturday. Dawlish, last season's surprise package, are unbeaten in four league outings this term.