MANAGERLESS Corsham Town sprang one of the surprises of the FA Vase second qualifying round as they dumped Screwfix Direct Premier Division leaders Brislington out of the competition at The Southbank.

Corsham went into the clash without seven members of their first team squad, still reeling from the shock departure of former manager Mark Godley last week.

Their points column in the First Division read just one from four matches at the start of play, with Premier Division high-flyers Brislington having won each of their first five league fixtures. But goals from Russell Lodge and Simon Price saw the hosts secure a first round berth, to the delight of player-coach John Freegard.

The veteran former Chippenham and Trowbridge striker and assistant manager Dave King took charge of the side on Saturday following Godley's exit.

He said: "To beat a side who have played five, won five in the Premier Division is great for our club.

"Hopefully the result will give us the impetus to start our season and it was a fantastic psychological boost. We were all over them in the first half and stayed disciplined in the second when we had the lead. They came at us and hit the bar, but the defence stood up well."

Corsham were without the services of injured duo Freegard and captain Jeremy Christopher, while Chris Jones, Dave Kilmurray, Matt Pratley, Rob Humphries and Steve Caines were also unavailable.

Former Southampton youngster Will Halliwell, who signed for the club in the summer, left to join Hellenic League outfit Malmesbury Vics.

The lengthy list of absentees gave a number of reserve players the chance to impress and youth team midfielder Lodge gave the home side a deserved lead with a well-taken goal on 26 minutes. The Premier Division outfit pressed for an equaliser after the break and Corsham were given a scare when Dave Scott's effort cannoned back off the woodwork.

Some resolute defending from the hosts kept Brislington at bay and they sealed their passage into the first round when in-form striker Simon Price doubled their lead with a fine solo effort in injury time.

Freegard was impressed with the performance of young goalscorer Lodge. He said: "Russell Lodge came in from the youth team to play on the left of midfield and looked like he had played there all his life. He also scored a good goal on his debut.

"Andy Wicks missed pre-season, but he's getting there with his fitness now and did a good job on the right, putting some good balls in from free kicks and corners. And Simon Price led the line superbly again up front. His goal was a great individual effort."

Corsham's only other success this term had come in a 3-1 FA Cup victory over Portland United. Freegard and the players dedicated their second victory of the campaign to popular former boss Godley.

He said: "The lads were conscious that Godders had gone and did what they really wanted to do while he was still at the club. He signed all of the players and the squad was assembled by him. They wanted to win Saturday's game for him. Everyone at the club fully understands the reasons behind his decision. Unless you've been in the position of having a young family, an important job and having to manage a semi-professional side, you don't realise just how big a commitment it is."