SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: CALNE Town made it ten games without a win as they crashed out of the Les Phillips Cup with defeat at Bremhill View on Saturday 1 December.

A late John Hayter effort booked Street's passage into round two after Stuart Skinner had scored an equaliser for the hosts with 20 minutes to go.

Calne were handed a blow on Friday when in-form goalkeeper Brendan Dicks was ruled out with a broken finger.

Veteran Lee Portch was swiftly signed from Larkhall on a temporary basis and became the sixth goalkeeper used by Calne debut on Saturday.

The hosts' defended resolutely in a drab opening half, but fell behind 20 minutes after the break when Gareth Morgan fired home following a free kick.

Home midfielder Stuart Skinner equalised five minutes later when he connected with a cross and striker Mark Strickland twice went close as Calne pushed for the winning goal.

But it was the visitors who scored the decisive second five minutes from time. Street had looked dangerous from set pieces all afternoon and Hayter headed past the helpless Portch following another free kick to clinch victory for the Somerset side.

The blow was particularly cruel for Calne, who also conceded a late goal in their 1-0 home reverse at the hands of third placed Frome Town last week.

Calne manager Paul Rankin was encouraged by the display, and stressed league points and a climb away from the First Division relegation zone remains his number one priority.

"There were more positive elements than negative ones. The first half was pretty drab, but that was pleasing from my point of view because we defended well. Street beat Torrington 2-0 last week, so they are a useful side.

"I think the last couple of games have reassured Mark Jeffries and myself because we have played well against two of the Division's better sides. Street are an experienced side and I felt we had the better of the game.

"But it was a cup match and, obviously, the priority is to get out of the bottom two in the league."

Right midfielder Paul Taylor made his Calne debut after his midweek move from Premier Division Brislington and Rankin has also put in seven days notice of approach for Melksham Town man Tom Evans as he bids to strengthen a side hampered by the recent departures of Julian Alexander and Jamie Gale to Devizes Town.

Said Rankin: "We're trying to get the foundations right and will not be throwing money at it. The downside is players lack a bit of patience and always feel the grass is greener elsewhere.

"I think we will see more experienced players leaving until results improve and we start climbing the table."

Calne face a crunch match at Wiltshire rivals Warminster Town on Saturday. The Screwfix Direct League's bottom two are separated by just two points and Calne have yet to register a single point on their travels this term.

He said: "Warminster seem to be improving and beat Larkhall in their last outing. We beat them 4-0 a couple of months ago but I expect there have been a few changes in both sides since then.

"The three points against Warminster is just as important as three points against anybody. A draw is probably the result neither side wants."