MELKSHAM Town struck an important blow against one of their rivals for honours in the Toolstation League Premier Division as they swept aside Buckland Athletic at Oakfields yesterday.

Kieran Baggs' side, who last week clinched their place in the last 16 of the FA Vase, kept the momentum going in their league campaign as they moved to within a point of third-placed local rivals Bradford Town.

The home side were a goal to the good at the break as full-back Alex Grimshaw found the net.

That was how it stayed until the latter stages when last week's Vase hero Ryan Bole struck on 78 minutes to double the advantage before Jake Brown capped off a successful day for the home side.

Westbury United survived a late scare to preserve their two-point lead at the top of the First Division with a 1-0 win at Almondsbury.

United skipper Dan Price nodded in the winner with 10 minutes remaining but Almondsbury skipper Dan Lane nearly earned a point when his shot hit the foot of the post deep into injury time.

Keynsham Town kept up the pressure on the leaders by dismissing Malmesbury Victoria 5-2

Elsewhere, Josh Brigham's penalty decided the derby tussle between hosts Calne Town and Devizes Town in favour of the visitors to Bremhill View.

It was the same score at Corsham Town, with the home side on the receiving end of a defeat at the hands of Bristol Telephones.

It was honours even in the Wiltshire derby between Warminster Town and Chippenham Park which ended 1-1, James Vincent netting for the home side.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town were hammered 6-0 by Thatcham United in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

In Division One West, Pewsey Vale narrowly lost out to leaders Ardley United 3-2.

Greg Hackett's double put the home side in control before David Cope pulled one back for Vale immediately after half-time.

Deon Gallacher's strike with 20 minutes to go settled the encounter despite a late reply from James Blake for Pewsey.