AFTER taking a point off Division Three leaders Melksham Town A last weekend, Aces FC hosted another of the promotion hopefuls in FC Box Steam Brewery.

For a long time it looked as if the Bath-based side would earn themselves a share of the spoils, but thanks to super sub Simon Parfitt the Brewery boys scored late on to claim a 2-1 win that keeps them one point away from top spot.

Aces took an early lead when Mike Little headed in a long throw to give the home team a 1-0 advantage inside the opening five minutes.

The Brewery boys were level before half time, Duncan Frew crossing for recent signing Gavin Francis to head home and make it one-each.

Last week's super sub Tom Downes was replaced by Simon Parfitt and it was the substitute who turned the game in favour of the Brewery Boys when he found the target after being set up by Jason Povey.

With fellow promotion hopefuls Potterne missing out on a fixture and FC Box Steam Brewery winning away at Aces, Barry Holloway’s Melksham Town A saw lead at the top of the table remain at one point thanks to their 8-0 victory at Hilperton United Reserves.

Dan Moore started the ball rolling for Melksham, James Dark, Ollie Gee and a second from Moore gave them a 4-0 half time lead.

After the break James Dark made it 5-0 with his second of the afternoon. Callum Demkiv added number six and Mark Billett’s own goal made it 7-0 before Dark completed his hat-trick with Melksham’s eighth of the game.

The match at Clarendon Academy between The Stiffs and Bratton may not have been one for the purist but, played in difficult conditions on a pitch that cut up badly from the first minute, it was the Stiffs who after a goalless first half took all the points thanks to a 2-1 win.

Stiffs started the stronger of the two teams who were both vying to finish top half of the table and Stiffs looking to avenge a defeat to the hands of Bratton earlier in the season, striker Dave Carroll having two half chances.

Stiffs went on to create few half chances in the first half but only managed to draw one save of any note out of Bratton stand-in keeper Adam McMackin.

Bratton gained the upper hand in possession as the half went by and created most chances the best of which being a Dan Cox header that narrowly cleared the bar with Stiffs keeper stranded with almost the last touch of the first half.

The Stiffs started the second half stronger after a few harsh words from manager Ade Giles and again took control of the game though still creating very little, when they did woeful finishing let them down.

On 60 minutes manager Giles decided he had seen enough and introduced the returning Terry Askew who had an almost immediate effect drawing a save from the keeper McMackin with his first touch.

The introduction of Askew seemed to upset Bratton and this in turn allowed space for Darren Brewer who put a sublime ball through for Dave Carroll who finished coolly to give Stiffs the lead.

Stiffs continued to have the better chances and Brewer himself should of scored when a poor clearance fell to him about 30 yards out with the keeper out of his goal, Brewers shot was so tame it allowed a Bratton defender to clear off the line with ease.

Rob Clarke was then guilty of missing a guilt edge chance after completely miscuing his shot.

This seemed to spur on Bratton who pushed forward and equalised after some poor Stiffs defending allowed Dan Cox to walk through and score to make it one apiece.

Another Stiffs change saw concerted pressure from the hosts force a corner, a fine delivery from Brewer was met by the head of Askew who glancing header gave keeper McMackin no chance as Stiffs took a 2-1 lead

Bratton pushed forward for an equaliser and only the face of Scott Ball on the line stopped Fosu Gharban from earning Bratton a point.

Stiffs held on for their sixth win of the season in closely-fought game played in good spirit and well refereed by Neville Dennett.