Corsham Town 3, Bideford 2 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Corsham Town 3, Bideford 2

7:44pm Saturday 5th January 2008 in Football By Jon Boyle

In-form Corsham kept up the pressure on league leaders Truro as they came from behind to beat ten-man Bideford at the Southbank on Saturday.

Simon Gray's predatory finish, Jason Walsh's diving header and Craig Fullam's penalty helped stretch the Reds' unbeaten run to 17 games, with manager Mel Gingell watching on from the stand as he started his 22-match touchline ban.

A dour first half of few chances sprang into life in stoppage time when Bideford skipper Ellis Laight stole in unmarked at the far post to convert Leon Hapgood's 18-yard cross-shot from close range and give the visitors the lead.

But Gray incredibly plundered an equaliser for Corsham six minutes into first half stoppage time, sliding in the rebound after Craig Fullam's rasping low 22-yard drive had come back off the post.

Walsh put the Reds 2-1 up eight minutes after the break with a superb 14-yard glancing header that went in off the post, from Kris Davis' cross.

Jamie Lyons then saw his 70th minute penalty saved by Bideford goalkeeper Mark Coombe after he had been brought down in the box by Darren Hawkins.

But Craig Fullam showed him how it should be done by rifling in an 84th minute spot-kick to make it 3-1, after Bideford substitute Tom Stocco was shown a second yellow card for bringing him down in the box.

Walsh fired against the bar before Liam Fullam somehow volleyed the rebound wide of an open goal from six yards as Corsham piled on the pressure in a superb second half display.

Hapgood pulled back a goal for the visitors four minutes from the end when he rammed in Nick Barker's low cross at the far post, but it was too little too late for sixth-placed Bideford.

The result keeps Corsham in second place in the Toolstation League Premier Division, eight points behind leaders Truro.