SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: DEVIZES Town moved into the Premier Division's top six for the first time this season after taking the Wiltshire derby honours at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

The visitors hardly missed injured top scorer Barry Flippance as goals from Nigel Curtis, David Lloyd and Nick Mooney secured their win. The home side's reply came from Wayne Wheeler.

The hosts, who started without key duo Steve Perkins and Mark Pearce, were dealt a further blow early in the clash when burly striker Carl Clarke suffered a thigh injury in the second minute.

Clarke was able to continue, but five minutes later Devizes took the lead when Curtis pulled clear on the edge of the area and gave goalkeeper Mark Batters no chance with his cross shot.

Second-from-bottom Westbury battled back and levelled the match midway through the half when Clarke's left wing cross was rifled past Paul Thompson by Wheeler.

Craig Doughty then wasted a free kick for Westbury before Lloyd capitalised on some poor defending and coolly chipped Batters to give Devizes a half time lead.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession in the second period and were rewarded ten minutes from time when Mooney steered the ball home.

Devizes boss Newlands was delighted to have avenged last season's 3-2 defeat at the hands of rivals Westbury.

He said: "I was pleased. We always felt in control of the game and it was a comfortable win, really. Both sides had personnel missing. I must admit I was really concerned about having Barry Flippance and Simon Price out and wondered where the goals were going to come from.

"They had Steve Perkins and Mark Pearce out and I think they missed them more. Perkins played really well against us last season and Pearce is their driving force. We were quite glad they weren't playing.

"We have won six out of 11 games and that's a good record in this league."

Newlands has week moved to ease his striker shortage by submitting seven days' of approach for former Devizes hero Julian Alexander, currently with First Division Calne Town.

Devizes are without a game this weekend.