AFC CALNE belied their position at the foot of the Premier Division as they beat top flight stablemates and red-hot favourites AFC Melksham to lift this season’s Westernsport Trophies-sponsored WG Parr Trophy at Chippenham Town’s Hardenhuish Park.

Normal time and extra time failed to find a winner and Calne took the trophy after they won a thrilling penalty shootout 5-4, with keeper Shaun Preen, who also saved two penalties during the game, being their hero.

With both sides cancelling each other out in the first quarter of the game it took a while for the match to come to life but if finally did on 25 minutes when AFC Melksham were awarded a penalty when Josh Robinson went to ground too easily under what appeared to be a harmless challenge from Matt Smart.

Calne will believe justice was done as Robinson picked himself up to take the spot kick which was brilliantly saved by keeper Preen, who dived low to his left hand side to hold on to the ball.

Preen then turned defence into attack as his clearance up field found Dean Fry whose effort was well saved by Melksham’s keeper Rob Brown.

In what was proving to be a competition between the keepers it was Calne’s Preen who kept the score at 0-0 when he was at full stretch to keep out Josh Robinson’s shot.

At the other end keeper Brown was superb to deny both Fry and Stuart Windsor.

Firstly, Tom Robinson took out Dean Fry and his resulting free kick was kept out by a smart stop from Brown, who then somehow turned a point-blank drive from Windsor out for a corner to bring the first half to a close.

Both teams had early half-chances to take the lead in the second period but neither were unable to find a way past the impressive keepers.

The deadlock was finally broken on 63 minutes when Alex Lewis broke clear and finished well beyond a helpless Brown to put Calne one up.

At the other end only a goalline clearance from Rob Bunton denied Dan Barnett an equaliser, but Melksham didn’t have to wait long until they got back on level terms.

Matthew Cooper’s excellent ball to Brett Partner saw him pick his spot to fire home and restore parity on 72 minutes.

Shortly after substitute Jack Morris almost put Melksham in front, his mazy run taking him past three defenders but his final effort being just wide of the target.

The final 15 minutes saw a lull in play as both teams were unable to conjure up a winner in normal time.

Extra time was just two minutes old and Melksham’s Tom Robinson brought a good save out of keeper Preen but the shot stopper was unable to do anything a minute later as the ball fell kindly to Robinson who drove home from 20 yards to put his team 2-1 ahead.

Melksham had the chance to increase their lead when Josh Robinson won another penalty and once again Robinson took on Preen.

For a second time the keeper came out on top as another brilliant save saw him deny him for a second time.

Both Darren Holcombe and Dave Herring had the chance to square things up for Calne before the first half of extra time came to and end but both came up just short leaving Melksham to go in at the interval 2-1 in front.

Calne came out fighting in the second period of added time and although they looked dead on their feet they managed to tie the scores a great run from Stuart Windsor saw him find Dave Herring who swept the ball home to make it 2-2.

Melksham’s Brett Partner probably had the best chance of any side to win it in 120 minutes but when his chance went begging it meant that the game would come down to the lottery of penalties.

Melksham Matt Cooper stepped up to take the first one but he failed to test the keeper at his effort sailed over the bar.

Calne’s captain Simon Dance held his nerve as he drilled his spot kick down the middle to put his team one up.

Graham Griffiths scored Melksham’s second and Darren Holcombe made no mistake with his effort to keep Calne in front.

Jack Morris calmly slotted home Melksham’s third as did Alex Lewis for Calne. Richard Hudson scored Melksham’s fourth, leaving the pressure on Stuart Windsor, who saw his effort saved well by keeper Brown.

Ian Dowell put Melksham ahead for the first time in the shootout which meant if Matt Smart scored it would go to sudden death.

Smart did what he need to do despite a brave effort from keeper Brown who got a hand to the penalty but just couldn’t keep it out.

With nobody wanting Melksham’s sixth it fell on the shoulders of keeper Brown to face his opposite number and it was Preen who came out on top as he saved well to hand the initiative back to Calne.

This time they made no mistake as Rob Bunton stepped up and powered his spot kick beyond keeper Brown to earn Calne victory which was the first time in five attempts that they had managed to beat Mike Rogers' side. The final may have taken a while to get going but after 120 minutes and the excitement of a penalty shoot out it will be one that will be remembered for a few years to come.

Doreen Rugg, the League’s treasurer presented the WG Parr Trophy to Calne’s winning captain Simon Dance.

Calne’s Alex Lewis picked up the player of the match for his all-round effort that must have seen him cover most of the Hardenhuish pitch.

REACTION AND PICTURES FROM SUNDAY'S FINAL IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES