CALNE Town's hopes of avoiding the drop into Wiltshire League football look brighter than ever after a five-star display gave them maximum points from their home clash with Wellington on Saturday.

The victory was the First Division strugglers' second in a row and moves them to within two points of nearest rivals Minehead, who they meet in a relegation six-pointer at Bremhill View on Saturday.

Mark Strickland was on target twice, while Simon Bray, Stuart Skinner and Jamie Butler all helped themselves to single strikes as the previously shot-shy Calne suddenly found their scoring boots to sweep aside the visitors.

Home manager Paul Rankin was a happy man after masterminding only his side's fifth victory in 30 league games this term.

He said: "The players deserve all the credit and have done really well, especially playing under the pressure of having to get results.

"We just haven't been consistent enough this season, but in the past two weeks we have battled away when we have been under the cosh and have come through in the end.

"But we aren't getting carried away just yet. All we've done is closed the gap on Minehead.

"We've only got eight games left, but at least the situation is in our hands now.

"It will not be easy to get out of the bottom two with the other sides at the bottom now starting to pick up points as well."

Calne were without key quartet Ian Murphy, Elliott Williams, Nick Taylor and Andy Waller for the clash, but were ahead after two minutes when Andy Kelly's corner fell to Bray, who cracked home a fine left-footed effort.

Wellington should have been level on eight minutes when Craig Aspin blasted over an unguarded Calne net after good work on the right by Mark Brereton.

Calne took control of proceedings after the half hour mark and would have been further ahead by the interval had they taken advantage of at least one of the numerous opportunities that came their way.

But the home side were far more clinical after the interval and Strickland grabbed his first when he scrambled home a Bray free kick six minutes into the second half. Bray was again the provider as the home side made it three eight minutes later, with Skinner this time the beneficiary as he rose highest to head home the former Corsham man's corner.

The goal of the game followed soon afterwards, when Strickland controlled a superb ball from Andy Towers before volleying past the helpless visiting goalkeeper.

Aspin pulled one back from the spot after Rich Oldfield was adjudged to have handled, but Butler then completed Calne's nap hand with a diving header from a Skinner free kick.

Steve Nicholls completed the scoring with a fine 25-yard consolation effort for the visitors in injury time.

Manager Rankin was delighted with his side's four goals after the interval.

He said: "I was really pleased with the second half display.

"It would be unfair on the team to single out individuals and they all played their part.

"I got particular satisfaction from seeing the reaction from our crowd and committee at the end. They applauded every player off the pitch and that, for me, is what football is all about. I was glad we got the result for them."

Rankin will be looking for his side to haul themselves out of the relegation zone for the first time in five months when Minehead visit Bremhill View on Saturday.

He said: "It is a massive game and another six-pointer. If we win, we are out of the bottom two and that's a great incentive for the players.

"Minehead were a bit tricky when we went down there last week, but I think Wellington are a far better side than them and we absolutely hammered them."