SCREWFIX FIRST DIVISION: THE last words manager Kelvin Highmore said to his men as they left the dressing room after half-time, when they were 2-0 up, were: "Don't concede an early goal, the next one is crucial.''

Four minutes later they were trailing 3-2.

"I'm still shell shocked,'' said Highmore. "We just fell apart. They scored the first goal after some sloppy defending and then they won the ball back from the restart and scored again.

"We kicked off again and the ball is back down our end and they are 3-2 up. To give them credit they destroyed us, we couldn't get the ball into their half.''

Vale's blushes were rescued by Robbie Lardner's late penalty. Just before half-time it looked as if Calne were going to run riot.

Debut striker Gary Banks, who completed a move from Melksham Town on Friday, put his new side ahead on 36 minutes.

A long-range shot from Matt Pratley thudded against the post a rebounded to Banks who headed home.

Weston's gloom was deepened seven minutes later when Banks doubled his tally. Again Pratley was involved, glancing a long ball from James Lye into the new striker's path 15 yards out.

Banks drove it home first time to give his team what looked like a solid lead.

But, with Highmore's advice ringing in their ears, Calne fell apart from the restart.

Weston's Ross Neads nipped in to capitalise on Calne's defensive hesitancy to give the visitors hope on 46 minutes.

Three minutes later Leigh White 's corner kick fell to an unmarked Stuart Wellford and he scrambled the ball home. Within seconds the visitors were ahead as Ashley Carter sent Ross Neads clean through and he slid St Johns ahead from 18 yards.

Said Highmore: "I was speechless when the goals in, but then I started shouting.

"But we managed to get ourselves back in the game, whuich i was pleased about.''

Lardner was chief among those who git his side going again, although Calne had to wait until the 70th minute to get level again.

Pratley turned his marker 40 yards out and powered into the box, where he was hauled down by Weston's Trvor Haslett.

Pratley was inujured in the procesa and forced to leave the field. Lardner took the responsibility and coolly slotted home the spot kick.

Either side could have won the game after that. Weston missed a sitter with 15 minutes left when Steve Francis raced to the by line and crossed to Ryan Howard at the back post but he somehow failed to connect properly in front of an open goal and passed the ball tamely back to Calne's grateful keeper Dave Hunt.

Calne could also have won the match on 83 mins when Gary Banks pounced between two static defenders to cruise in on goal, but pulled his shot high and wide from 12 yards.

Highmore was full of praise for the way his men recsued a point, and pleased at the impact Banks had in the side alongside his brother Kevin.

"I'm delighted to have them both here. I've been trying to sign Gary for about four years, ever since I was at Biddestone.

"When Kevin joined us in the summer I thought that might give me the edge on him and when he fell outof favour at Melksham it all fell into place.''

Banks' partnership gives Highmore some quality up front after the departure of Glenn Armstrong to Swindon Supermarine. But Pratley begins a suspension on Saturday as Calne travel to bottom side Minehead.

He and his team were chastened by a similar fixture at Ilfracombe earlier in the season when they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 4-3.

"This is another potential banana skin and we can't be complacent. If we go 2-0 up again, I'm going home.''

Highmore may also be without Kevin Banks, who is due to be at a wedding on Friday night.

Pratley's suspension for three games means he is jetting off to Australia for three weeks.