Chippenham Town have one foot firmly planted in the Dr Martens Premier Division after a pulsating victory over fellow promotion chasers Solihull Borough.

Boss Tommy Saunders has tried to play down Town's prospects of going up, but take no notice.

The self-confessed chronic pessimist insists that "it isn't over until the fat bloke sings." Maybe not, but the Bluebirds' manager must be clearing his throat in preparation after Wednesday's impressive win.

Solihull, to be fair, had faced a gruelling cup tie against Kidderminster just 48 hours earlier.

The Midlanders were clearly jaded as a result, but take nothing away from Chippenham, who displayed little mercy and proceeded to slice apart the side managed by former Coventry defender Dave Busst.

The hosts were on top of the game from the off.

Mark Harrington's first-minute free-kick took a deflection and crept inches wide, prompting a first-half onslaught from Saunders' men.

Matt Rawlins then saw his dangerous cross diverted to safety, before Harrington volleyed wide from 20 yards.

Town were soon rewarded for their verve, though, when Steve Brown's cross was met brilliantly by the head of Gareth Davies on the half-hour mark.

The former Swindon Town defender clearly enjoyed notching his first goal for the Bluebirds, and he fully deserved it for his action-packed display over the 90 minutes.

Another quality delivery led to Town's second on the stroke of half- time.

Harrington swung in a free-kick from the left, and another defender, Nathan Rudge, was on hand to power a header home from 12 yards.

Solihull offered little resistance, and it looked like game over at the break.

But the visitors, to their credit, rallied after the break and enjoyed 20 minutes of pressure. They created few clear chances though, and the Town rearguard looked relaxed enough until Davies handled in the box on 74 minutes.

Despite Steve Weaver's efforts in Town's goal, the league's leading scorer, Derek Hall, scored the spot kick to ensure a nervous finale. But cometh the hour, cometh the man.

Town's first full-time player, James Bent, claimed the glory with a goal full of poise and a celebration rife with passion.

The former Yeovil striker collected the ball on the edge of the area with five minutes remaining, before dancing his way beyond two challenges and coolly planting the ball inside the near post.

Bent and the rest of the Blue Army went mad in unison, and the young forward had to be fished out of the fans massed behind the Solihull goal.

Bent was clearly aware of the importance of his goal it gives Town a 10-point cushion over main rivals Weston, and a real chance of rubbing shoulders with the Premier Division big boys next season.