WARMINSTER kicked off what could be a crucial run in their season, where they play nine of their next 11 fixtures at home, with a 1-0 win over Corsham, but it came at a cost.

Derek Graham’s side lost Alex Lapham to a knee injury, which will rule him out for the foreseeable future.

The midfielder’s knee is in a brace and although he has not snapped anything the strain will see him out for a while.

It was the only blemish on an otherwise good evening’s work for Warminster. They picked up all three points courtesy of Tom Welch’s goal late in the second half.

Although Graham lost one of his best players he was very pleased with the win.

“It was a good game, because they’re a good side,” said Graham.

“The good thing for us is, defensively we were very good. They only had one shot on target the whole game, whereas we had four or five.

“The pitch was playable, but very heavy. It wasn’t good to try and play football on.

“It was 0-0 and it looked like it was heading for a draw, but we played one nice bit of football, breaking from defence down the wing.

“Ebon Mortimer-Taylor played the ball inside to Tom Welch who cracked a great shot into the back of the net from the left-hand side of the penalty area.

“We didn’t look like losing after that, but, as is usual, in the last two minutes their keeper lumped a long one forward and there centre forward left us for dead. We got caught square and Carl Crabtree come out and made a great save. That was there only shot on target.

“I’d have been really gutted if they got an equaliser. I’m sure they’d have said we deserved to win.”

However, Graham admitted Lapham’s injury is a blow for his side.

“He got a knee injury, nobody’s fault, it might have been something to do with the conditions, but it wasn’t when it happened,” he added.

“He jumped up to go for the ball and twisted his knee in mid-air, with nobody near him. We could see from the sideline that he was not in the right position.

“He’s our best player, he should be a playing a higher level.”