CALNE Town were left feeling deflated after being held to a draw by fellow Toolstation First Division strugglers Chard on Saturday.

Town were looking to kick-start their season after being hit by injuries and the departure of striker Kieron Gleed to Highworth Town.

Stuart Windsor opened the scoring in the first half for Calne when his low shot beat keeper John Hill, however, the strike was cancelled out by Chard forward Alex Stafie soon after.

Calne co-manager Ben Redford said: “It wasn’t a great game of football, it was more of a battle.

“We started well and scored early but then we conceded a soft goal.

“We created chances but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

“Chard were definitely the happier of the sides at the end.”

Calne lie third from bottom in the table but will welcome back experienced captain Marcus Lovesey and several other players who have recovered from injury when they take on Bishop Sutton on Saturday.

Redford said: “We’ve got to keep battling and the results will come.

“I’m not panicking at all. After the game, Chard said we were one of the better teams they have played this season.

“I’ve been saying to the lads to keep doing what they’re doing and eventually we will win a game by a big margin.

“It might be a shock to the league, but it won’t be a shock to us.”

Lovesey will bring his leadership back to the defence as he joins a fully-fit line-up hosting Sutton, who lie 15th in the league.

Redford said: “We’ve had inconsistencies with injuries and players coming and going, and we’ve been fielding some U18s as we don’t have a reserve team.

“We’ve now made four or five signings and have a full squad available for Saturday.

“Everyone is buzzing to go.”

Elsewhere in the First Division, Corsham Town suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Welton Rovers, which leaves them in 16th place.

Malmesbury Victoria continue to struggle at present as they tasted defeat, losing 4-2 to visitors Almondsbury, a result which leaves them fifth from bottom.

At the top end of the table Devizes Town failed to put pressure on league leaders Westbury United after going down to a 3-2 defeat at Bishops Lydeard.

Finally, Chippenham Park lost 3-0 at home to Cheddar.