MARLBOROUGH remain without an away win in Davis Wood League Central One heading into the mid-season break as they slipped to defeat by a solitary goal at Team Bath Buccs C.

In desperate need of a win to keep within striking distance of the top places Marlborough completely dominated the early stages, penning their opponents in their own half.

The visitors had several excellent opportunities to open the scoring but found no way through.

A changed gameplan after the break helped Bath get back into the game but neither side managed to create a clear-cut chance.

The deadlock was finally broken with 15 minutes to go when a Bath midfielder went through several tackles before slotting home from all of a foot. Devizes finished the first half of the season with a strong performance to draw 2-2 with Firebrands A in Conference North.

Both sides were evenly matched throughout the first half with few chances as both defences held strong.

Firebrands took the lead when a ball crossed in from the left was well finished on the back post.

Devizes continued to create chances and eventually drew level when a well-worked corner was fired home by Roger Edwards.

The second half was a similar story but it was Devizes who stole the advantage.

A direct ball into the circle found Ollie Smith, who turned the defender before being upended by the Firebrands keeper.

Edwards stepped up to score the resulting penalty flick but Firebrands managed a late equaliser.

Corsham headed into Christmas top of East Central Two with an 8-2 thrashing of Team Bath Buccs B.

Tom Styles lead the scoring with a hat-trick, Tom Bowery adding a brace and Ryan Lewis, Aaron Grey and Tom Stevenson adding one each.