JUST one week ahead of their meeting with Division One leaders Potterne, second-placed Melksham Cosmos saw their hopes of catching Craig Fisher’s side suffer a massive setback as they were beaten 3-0 away at North Star.

It would be fair to say that Cosmos played a part in their own downfall as they played the whole game with just 10 men.

A man down, they made the worse possible start and were a goal down inside the opening 30 seconds, Jamel Chevolleau giving North Star the lead.

A first goal for the club from Ben Tylee doubled their advantage before the interval and after the break, Karl Sharratt killed off any hopes of a Cosmos revival when he fired home to wrap up a deserved win for Mark Clark’s side.

Local rivals Miller Sports A and FC Pig & Whistle met at a very wet Christie Miller and it was the former who claimed the bragging rights thanks to a 2-0 win.

A first league goal for the club from Will Gale gave the Miller boys a half-time lead and victory was sealed when Joe Murray added a second.

Following the surprise loss for Melksham Cosmos away at North Star, FC Buscots have been thrown a lifeline in their bid to claim a third successive promotion.

Buscots' 4-0 win away at Sutton Benger saw them capitalise on Cosmos slip-up and they are now just one point behind their rivals with a game in hand.

Adam Bewley’s goals either side of half-time were followed by strikes from Nathan Moffatt and Phil Little.