MALMESBURY Victoria might have stopped the rot with a 3-2 home victory over Corsham Town on Tuesday night but manager Kevin Bridgeman has warned his team they must cut out errors at the back if they are to achieve their ambitions this term.

A 30-yard strike from Krystian Hext broke the deadlock at the Flying Monk Ground and although Ed Wilkins netted a goal in each half to ultimately secure victory, Malmesbury faced a nervous finish after Corsham cut the arrears for a second time with seven minutes to go.

Bridgeman, whose team were beaten 5-2 at high-flying Keynsham Town on Saturday despite Jamie Packer’s double, has FA Cup qualification in his sights and believes Saturday’s fourth-placed hosts Radstock Town remain a target for mid-table Malmesbury.

He said: “Tuesday night came on the back of three defeats and getting three points on the board will hopefully give us some confidence ahead of some tough games coming up.

“But we seem to be conceding poor goals at the moment and the Corsham game was a classic example. We need the boys to keep their focus and concentration for 90 minutes.”

The victory was marred by a season-ending injury to the luckless Andy Baker, who only recently returned to the side having dislocated his right knee in August. He has now sustained similar damage to his left one and rejoins fellow long-term injury victims Sam Parker and Tim Bond on the sidelines.

Bridgeman said: “It’s devastating and it was such a massive boost to have him back.

“He was our players’ player of the year last season and is a superb player. Not only that, he’s a great lad to have around the dressing room and he will be a big miss.”

The midweek defeat was Corsham’s seventh in eight matches and came hot on the heels of a 1-0 loss at home to Bristol Telephones on Saturday.

Up next for Jamie Harrison’s men is a Wiltshire derby date away to Calne Town, who were handed a 1-0 reverse by visiting Devizes Town last weekend.

Josh Brigham scored the winner from the penalty spot as Devizes consolidated their position in the top six. They are now unbeaten in seven matches but face a stern examination of their improved recent form when they visit league leaders Westbury United on Saturday.

Matthew Mead was on target for Chippenham Park in their 1-1 draw at Warminster Town, for whom James Vincent netted. Park are away to Oldland Abbotonians on Saturday.