Hallen 2 Calne Town 1 AFTER a recent run of poor form, it was vital that Hallen took the points against a team who are likely to finish in mid table.

This was achieved by a battling performance in which Steve Scannell made some vital saves and Andy Cook looked a class finisher in his role as striker.

The game may not have been a classic, but the points meant everything to the home side, as could be seen from the delight on the players' faces when Andy Cook toe-poked the winner in the dying seconds.

Hallen had a scare after just eleven minutes when the ball was lost in midfield and the offender failed to realise the importance of getting back. As a result, Calne had extra numbers as they broke but Hallen were fortunate to see the shot hit the side netting.

Eight minutes later Hallen failed to deal with a corner on the right and were grateful to Lee Patch for heading off the line with the rest of the defence all at sea.

Next, it was the turn of Andy Proctor to make a good headed clearance from the penalty spot. It was not until the 27th minute that Hallen had their first attack of note, and that produced a goal when Proctor picked on a ball in midfield catching the visitors on the back foot.

He fed the ball on to Mark Reynolds who then slid it to Andy Cook who drew the keeper before confidently striking the ball into the corner of the net.

Two minutes later Calne were awarded a free-kick. Too many of the home side contested the decision and were out of position for the quick free-kick and Scannell had to make a good fingertip save.

Calne now started to make mistakes at the back as they became worried by the non-stop harassment of Hallen's front runners.

Five minutes into the second half saw a rare touch of class that was worth the entrance fee alone as Andy Cook received the ball from Reynolds and moved menacingly inside before unleashing an angled drive from 25 yards. The visiting keeper only moved when the ball crashed back into play from the inside of the post.

On 57 minutes Calne equalised as a result of some sloppy play by Hallen in midfield which led to a good inter passing move by the visitors before the extra man on the left fired the ball across the home keeper and into the net.

Ten minutes later Hallen went close when a Proctor corner was powered in by Reynold's head but the defender stopped the ball on the line.

It was now all Hallen, and as soon as Dan Cook entered the fray, he was denied by the keeper at the last minute after his fresh legs created the chance.

Seventy seven minutes then saw an excellent save from Scannell when we were caught on the break and the home keeper had to deal with a low centre towards an unmarked striker.

The winner was then scored on 89 minutes when a Proctor corner from the left saw the ball being endlessly hacked around the six yard box by both sides before Andy Cook poked it into the net.