Halesowen Town 0, Chippenham Town 1: Christmas came early for Chippenham Town as they closed the gap on Dr Martens League Western Division league leaders Halesowen Town to one point with an impressive victory at The Grove.

Matt Rawlins' 15th goal of the season proved enough for the Bluebirds, who had weathered a first half onslaught from the hosts and were indebted to a magnificent display from goalkeeper Steve Weaver.

Former Weston-super-Mare stopper Weaver pulled off four saves from the top drawer to deny the home side, while central defenders Nathan Rudge and Shane Andrews also frustrated the title favourites with rock sold performances.

Bluebirds' assistant manager Colin Bush was delighted after seeing his side notch up yet another famous victory on the road.

He said: "The back five, including Weaver, were outstanding all afternoon. Weaver brought off three quality saves to keep us in it. That word us used all too often, but they really were quality.

"We got overrun for large periods of the game, but still kept a reasonable shape, denied them around the edge of the box and that set us up for a decent second half. We felt at half-time we just needed half a chance to win the game. You just get a feeling sometimes things are going to go your way and so it proved."

Bush felt the visitors were worthy winners, despite the fact they had to contend with long periods of pressure from the home side in the opening half.

He said: "It was no more than we deserved. People will say we took a bit of a hammering on the football side of it, but it was always going to be a contrast of styles.

"At the end of the day, they are a footballing side and were the home side on the crest of a wave. We went up there and did a superb job. It's a great win and came as no surprise to me that we went there and did a job. We are very positive at Chippenham in the way we do things and, again, it has produced the right result."

A bumper crowd of 912 flocked to The Grove for the top of the table clash and the Western Division's biggest gate of the season must have wondered how the home side were not at least two goals in front at the interval.

Halesowen skipper Lee Collins, formerly with Stoke City, sounded the first alarm bells in the Chippenham defence when he headed over on ten minutes.

James Bent then flashed a 20-yard volley inches over goalkeeper Tim Clarke's bar, before Halesowen took the game by the scruff of the neck midway through the half.

Right winger Andy Spencer produced a sublime piece of skill before looping his shot onto the top of Weaver's net, before the 29-year-old stopper made his first save of the afternoon just past the half hour when he pushed away a powerful 30-yard effort from Stuart Skidmore.

The goalkeeper then excelled himself with two more superb saves in 30 seconds. First, he clawed the ball away from striker Leroy May as the striker set himself to shoot from six yards then, from the resulting corner, Weaver tipped a powerful Neil Smith drive onto the crossbar.

May then slipped on the hard surface when well-placed for a shot moments before the interval and the Bluebirds were mightily relieved to still be on level terms at the break.

The second half began as the first had ended, with Weaver diving full length to keep out Ross Collins' mishit effort, but the visitors began to assert themselves on the game as the half wore on.

Home goalkeeper Clarke had to be at his best to turn a 25-yard Grantley Dicks free kick round his right post after a foul on Steve Tweddle, while at the other end Matty Hall headed well wide of Weaver's goal from a good position.

The all-important winning goal came with 20 minutes to go. Simon Charity floated a free kick deep into the Halesowen penalty area and Rudge nodded the ball back for Rawlins to score from close range.

The Bluebirds' defence held firm in the face of some concerted home pressure in the closing stages, and Weaver was once again on hand to deny Gary Smith as the substitute raced into the area with three minutes left.

The outstanding Weaver was pleased after securing his third clean sheet since arriving at Hardenhuish Park.

He said: "It was one of those days. They either go in or you manage to get something on them. I made a couple of saves and had a bit of luck on my side. We defended superbly as a team and with the lads we have got up front we are always likely to nick one. It was brilliant."

Chippenham, who took on Swindon Supermarine on Boxing Day, play host to Stourport Swifts on Saturday and travel to Gloucester City on New Year's Day. Both games kick off at 3pm.