SWINDON Supermarine boss Mark Collier is playing down his side’s chances of a play-off push as their fine early season form continued with a gritty 2-1 win at Merthyr Tydfil.

The triumph in wretched conditions in Wales sees Marine sat comfortably in the top six in the Southern Premier Division, but Collier, pictured, refuses to talk up a promotion assault at this stage of the campaign.

He said: “We’ve only played one of the supposed top sides in this league so far.

“That was Corby and they turned us over. We use that as a yardstick so we’re not going to get carried away and start talking about the play-offs yet.”

Marine burst into life after an uneventful first half, with Chris Taylor’s drive from the edge of the box taking a deflection before nestling in the Merthyr net.

Taylor went close again from Steve Cook’s cross and Luke Hopper hit the bar before the visitors scored a second.

Enoch Boateng latched on to a long ball and smashed in a brilliant effort from 25 yards to give Marine a cushion. New signing Joe Harris was given a late run out and Steve Williams pulled a goal back with five minutes left but Marine sustained a last-ditch bombardment to seal the win.

Collier added: “We did it with a bit of grit and determination.

“The wind and rain made it really difficult but we battled away and the back four were excellent, and we’ve scored two very good goals at the other end.

Elsewhere in the Southern Premier, Chippenham slipped to a 2-1 home defeat to Stourbridge as their below-par start to the season continued.

Calum Martin put Stourbridge ahead early in the second period with a far-post header.

The lead was extended when Keith Rustill smashed in from close range after an hour.

Sam Allison rattled the woodwork for Chippenham before Kye Holly slotted home a last-minute consolation goal.

  • In the Hellenic Premier, Fairford’s encouraging start continued with a 1-1 draw against Hook Norton.

Highworth progressed in the Floodlit Cup, 4-3, at Milton.