WILTS Calne Town boss Simon Gardner saluted a watershed moment for his side as they came out on top in last weekend’s Premier Division summit battle with Purton Reserves.

Calne opened up a 10-point gap at the top of the table with a 3-0 victory at Bremhill View, bringing the visitors’ 15-match unbeaten run to an end.

Mark Dolman and Mark Sharratt fired quick-fire goals in the second period to put Gardner’s team in front before Aaron Hopkins crossed for Dolman to round off a vital victory late on.

“It was a hell of a result for us and we’ve got to exactly where we wanted to be,” said Gardner, whose side notched their 10th straight victory.

“Both sides had a lot of chances in the first half but the boys were fantastic. Purton thrashed us 6-2 earlier in the season and they didn’t need any motivation.

“Purton can still go above us in the league and they’re still the favourites but they’ve got to win all of those four games in hand.”

In the only other game in the division, Devizes Town Reserves were hammered 7-1 by Ludgershall Sports.

In Division One, there was delight for Marlborough Town Reserves as, after 16 consecutive defeats, they finally claimed their first win of the season.

Marlborough, who have shipped 75 goals so far, beat Wilton Town 2-1 thanks to Simon Gale’s header and Josh Simpson, who scored direct from a corner.

“I ran on to the pitch at the end of the game and was on the floor getting swamped by all of the players but it was worth it for the win,” said manager Nando Rossi.

“At the start of the season, we were losing by six or seven but we’ve kept the same players and it had been getting a lot better recently.

“I wasn’t informed that the first-team game was off until Friday and I didn’t want to say to any of the players that they were going to be dropped for a first-teamer, so we went with all reserve players.

“There were a few worries when they scored to make it 2-1 but we’re really happy.”