CALNE Town chief Simon Gardner has backed Barnstaple to win the league after seeing his side slip to a 4-0 defeat to the Devon outfit.

First half goals from William Tucker and Ryan Turner gave the visiting side a 2-0 lead at the break.

Calne started better in the second half and after a penalty appeal for the Lilywhites was turned away, Tucker went on to secure his hat-trick and seal the win for the travelling side.

“Obviously Barnstaple are flying high in the league and are probably the best team we have come across this year and if they maintain that form I can’t see any reason why they can’t go on and win it,” said Gardner.

“I think we were always up against it on Saturday but the lads made a good fight of it in the second half and we did ourselves justice giving the battle we did, but sometimes you need to put your hand up and say you came up against a better team.

“We’ve been on a good run of form. I think we’re draw specialists this term unfortunately, we don’t deserve to win every game but there have been a few we deserved to come away with three points.

“We have got a great set of players at the club and everyone wants to play for it and there is no reason why we can’t finish in the top half of the table.”

Calne are still looking to add some depth to their squad and have a seven day approach in for former Calne goalkeeper Steve Allison.

“We have got Jamie Bartlett in goal, who is a fantastic keeper, so Steve knows he has got a lot of competition,” added Gardner.

“He also plays centre forward on a Sunday so he will add something different to the team. He’ll rough it up a bit and hopefully it will give me more depth in our squad.”