MARK Allen was keen to take the positives from the performance that saw his Intel side run Wiltshire League Division One leaders Chalke Valley close on Saturday.

A poor defensive clearance late on allowed Valley to score the winning goal in the latter stages of the game, leaving Intel still struggling in the league standings.

But Allen said the performance against the division’s top side should give his side renewed belief in their ability.

“I took a lot of heart from it,” he said.

“In our last game we played NALGO and didn’t turn up, and for them to beat us 3-0 was mortifying.

“We turned up on Saturday which we didn’t do two weeks beforehand against NALGO, so I wasn’t disappointed. I think a draw would have been a fair result.”

And Allen still has confidence that Intel can pull themselves away from the threat of relegation.

“The early league situation belies where we’ll finish,” he said.

“I see us finishing in the top half of the table. It’s going to be a long battle but we’ll get it together.”

Intel will look for their second league win of the season on Saturday when they welcome bottom side Pewsey Vale Reserves.

Elsewhere in the division on Saturday, Ryan Gardiner’s brace gave Greenmeadow a 2-1 win over AFC Abbey Rodbourne.

Title-challengers Minety were 1-0 victors at Malmesbury Vics and Pewsey Vale picked up a point in a 2-2 draw with AFC NPower.

Swindon NALGO crushed Byrons Wanderers 4-1 while Swindon Irons saw off SKS Blyskawica 2-0.

The pick of this weekend’s fixtures sees AFC NPower host Chalke Valley. Elsewhere, Swindon NALGO take on Malmesbury Vics, Byrons Wanderers play SKS Blyskawica and Greenmeadow travel to Swindon Irons.

Last Saturday saw KC’s stay in touch with the Premier League leaders with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Wroughton, Neil Dicks and Matt Pratley getting on the scoresheet for the victors.

Meanwhile, Marlborough Town lost a 4-3 blockbuster to FC Chippenham Youth and Purton were also defeated, this time 3-1 at home to Bradford Town. Westside picked up three valuable points in the 3-0 triumph over Trowbridge Town.

This weekend’s games see KC's Club play host to Trowbridge Town, while Purton prepare to welcome Devizes Town and Wroughton take on Calne Town.

In Division Two last Saturday, Moredon Cheney maintained their spot at the summit with a 3-2 win at home to Wilton Town. Nick Kelly, M. Bennett and Jamie Ashby bagged the all-important goals.

Pembroke kept the pressure on at the top with a 5-0 drubbing of Blunsdon United, with a Druett hat-trick and a Curtis double sending them to victory.

Meanwhile, Lower Stratton cruised 4-0 past Ramsbury, Wroughton Reserves drew 2-2 with KMLC, Chiseldon beat FC Chippenham Youth Reserves 3-1 and Greenmeadow battered Marlborough Town Reserves 6-1.

This weekend a top-of-the-table clash sees Pembroke take on visiting Moredon Cheney, while Wroughton Reserves journey to Marlborough Town reserves.

Chiseldon welcome Lower Stratton, FC Chippenham Youth Reserves go head-to-head with Ramsbury, Greenmeadow Reserves play KMLC and Wilton Town welcome Blunsdon United.