SCREWFIX LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION: CALNE Town are still searching for their first point of 2002/03 despite giving Screwfix Direct League First Division title favourites Exmouth Town a stern test at Bremhill View on Saturday 7 September.

The top-of-the-table Devon side travelled to Wiltshire having plundered eight goals in their opening two matches, but were indebted to Calne bogeyman Richard Hope's solitary goal 21 minutes from time.

The home side enjoyed much of the play but, not for the first time this season, they paid the price for their lack of a cutting edge up front.

Joint boss Kelvin Highmore was a frustrated man after seeing his side slip to their third league defeat of the campaign.

He said: "We lost 1-0 but didn't deserve it. I'm fed up with saying the same thing every week. We threw everything including the kitchen sink at them and did everything but score.

"They're the favourites for the title, but we more than matched them for 69 minutes.

"Then an individual error cost us the game. We had created the better of the chances up until then.

"We just aren't finishing off all the hard work. The Exmouth chairman said to our chairman at the end of the game 'what a transformation from last season', but that doesn't give us three points.

"We are doing everything we can but aren't getting much luck. I'm confident it will come, but am feeling a bit down at the moment. I'm convinced there is a curse on the club."

Prolific former Wroughton striker Glenn Armstrong made his league debut for Calne in Saturday's clash and came close to scoring with a volley on the hour.

Highmore is expecting good things from the young forward, and was again impressed by the performances of defensive duo Nick Taylor and Andy Towers. He said: "We've brought Glenn Armstrong in and he was really unfortunate not to score. It was a great save from their keeper. He's settling in and will get better for us.

"Ben Moore did well again and Eddie Drury didn't look out of place at right back on his debut. Andy Towers and Nick Taylor at the back have been superb from the start and were again on Saturday. Towers went in at the back after an injury to Matt Peters, but has done so well we are thinking 'shall we keep him there?'"

Buoyed by their rampant start to the new season, the visitors made a good start and former Biddestone man Eddie Drury was forced into a goalline clearance on nine minutes after Paul Pocock had rounded goalkeeper Daryll Sims.

Calne's first chance came ten minutes later after Sims' long clearance was flicked on by Steve Davis. Armstrong teed up Martin Wheeler, but his shot was saved by Simon Harris in the Exmouth goal.

Hope and Richard Spiller both missed chances for Exmouth either side of the break before Armstrong's deflected volley was somehow kept out by Harris in the 60th minute.

Darren Smart produced a dangerous cross after a strong run down the right, but Armstrong and Ben Moore failed to connect in front of goal.

Exmouth took the lead on 69 minutes when Spiller crossed from the right, the Calne defence failed to clear, and Hope smashed home the loose ball. The goal was Hope's fourth in four games against Calne.

The hosts poured forward in search of an equaliser, but Towers and Stuart Skinner both headed straight at Harris, while Moore shot wide from Mick Garcia's pass.

Winger James Lye returns from suspension for the visit of Clyst Rovers on Saturday, while Garcia misses the clash due to work commitments.

Said Highmore: "We've just got to score first and I think we'll win the game. Our approach play and defending is all right, but a couple of goals would make all the difference in the world."