DR MARTENS LEAGUE: CHIPPENHAM Town soared to the top of the Dr Martens League Western Division for the first time in their history after two early goals helped them complete a league double over fancied Bilston Town at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday 17 November.

The Bluebirds' success, coupled with Clevedon Town's surprise home defeat at the hands of lowly Cirencester Town, meant Tommy Saunders' side leapfrogged their Somerset rivals at the top of the table.

On-loan Yeovil Town striker James Bent continued his prolific run since arriving from Huish Park in October with the first goal on nine minutes and top scorer Matt Rawlins doubled the home lead two minutes later.

The hosts' defence dealt superbly with everything the stunned West Midlands outfit threw at them in the remaining 79 minutes to secure the historic victory.

Chippenham assistant manager Colin Bush said: "It is excellent, absolutely superb to be top of the league.

"Thomas and I said it would be nice to sit there at some point in the season and now, after 17 games, the team have worked their way up there.

"We've seen all season anyone is capable of beating anyone in this league and on Saturday second-from-bottom beat the top side.

"Everyone seems to be knocking each other around.

"I don't think we've had one easy game this season, but perhaps that's why we are doing so well. I don't know the answer."

With the Bluebirds needing just six points to achieve their pre-season target of survival, Bush hopes his side can remain in the promotion frame for the rest of the campaign.

He said: "We are taking every game as it comes, but the players have been magnificent and we can't ask any more.

"The aim was to get as many points as we could be Christmas so there was no panic in the new year. If anyone had said we would be top in November we would have laughed. Everyone has contributed to the league position, but it is going to be a tall order to stay there."

Missing the injured Steve Brown, the Bluebirds made a fine start and both Steve Tweddle and Rawlins came close before Bent broke the deadlock in the ninth minute.

Mark Harrington squared the ball to Bent after his first effort from close range had hit the crossbar and the striker fired home at the second attempt.

Moments later and the home side were two-up. The tireless Tweddle won the ball by the corner flag and crossed for Rawlins to bag his 11th goal of the campaign.

Despite enjoying much of the possession, Bilston were restricted to hopeful long range efforts in reply and recent goalkeeper signing Dave Mogg dealt with shots from Adrian Baddams and Mark Habbershaw with ease.

The second period saw Leon Jackson and Jordan Lee come close to pulling a goal back for the visitors, but the Bluebirds always looked dangerous on the attack and Tweddle forced Bilston goalkeeper Matthew Boswell into making a smart save.

Rawlins might have cemented the points late on, but Boswell was equal to his effort from an acute angle.

Bush said: "We went off at a magnificent pace and went two-up very early on. They saw a little bit more of the ball in the second half but again the defence were very, very strong.

"An element of the crowd might have wanted us to go for a few more goals but, while we would have loved to have done that, it was important to stay solid.

"There is a fine line between being a flair side and being successful. Hopefully we can entertain as we go along, but points are of great value."

Chippenham travel to Redditch United tomorrow looking to increase their one-point lead at the top of the table and on Wednesday night entertain Clevedon.