CRICKLADE Town’s disappointment at seeing hosts Corsham Town Reserves fail to raise a side for their Premier Division clash was eased a little as the top two of Melksham Town Reserves and Shrewton United both slipped to surprise defeats on Saturday.

Last season’s champions Wroughton bounced back from a rocky few weeks as they ended the six-match winning streak of the leaders Melksham with a 1-0 victory.

The reserves, who had averaged nearly five goals a game in recent encounters, were shut out for the first time this season as veteran Craig Bowden’s first-half winner decided the contest.

Second-placed Shrewton could not take advantage as they slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development.

Bassett have lost only twice at home this season and Logan Cassidy, Josh Bolton and Carl Shepherd ensured that decent record continued despite replies from Shrewton’s Dean Smith and Alistair Carvell.

Kintbury Rangers closed up to two points behind Shrewton as they thrashed Ludgershall Sports 5-0, Shaun Thorp, Luke Johnson, Jay Gannon and a brace from Charlie Allsop doing the damage.

Bremhill lifted themselves out of the top two with a 2-0 victory at Purton, but Bassett Bulldogs remained rooted to the foot of the table as they were beaten 3-0 by Westbury United Reserves, for whom George Bendle, Ferris Lamrabet and Grant Gunning netted.

Pewsey Vale Development clinched a 1-0 win at Devizes Town Reserves as Wesley Lima scored the only goal just before half-time.

That allowed Vale to leapfrog Trowbridge Town, who were beaten 2-0 at Marlborough Town to fall to an eighth successive defeat.

Christopher Deane scored both Marlborough goals as they went into eighth place.