WESTBURY United assumed control of the Toolstation League First Division title race thanks to a hard-fought victory at Chippenham Park and a pair of hiccups elsewhere for chief rivals Keynsham Town.

Dan Kovacs scored both goals – including an 82nd-minute winner – as Westbury won 2-1 at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday.

The result saw Keynsham displaced at the summit following their 2-2 home draw with Corsham Town and they were also unable to take advantage of a midweek derby at Oldland Abbotonians, which ended 3-3.

All of which leaves Westbury at the top of the pile on goal difference with a game in hand, although joint-manager Neil Kirkpatrick is keeping his feet on the ground.

“There will be twists and turns but I must admit I didn’t see that result at Oldland coming,” said Kirkpatrick. “But it’s all about what we do and we’ve just got to stay consistent, keep going and see what happens.

“Keynsham will say they have a lot of Bristol derbies but we have a lot of Wiltshire derbies and still have five of the top seven to play.

“We set ourselves goals at the start of the season and have already bettered last year’s points tally. The top five was our aim but of course we want to win it now – who wouldn’t?”

Westbury fell behind to an early goal from Chippenham’s Lewis McCarron but Kovacs levelled from the penalty spot before the break and later volleyed home the winner. The hosts had Jamie Cunning and Jordan Coulter sent off, the latter for what Kirkpatrick termed an “horrendous” challenge on Kovacs, who escaped relatively unscathed.

Westbury continue their promotion push at home to mid-table Wincanton Town tomorrow, while Corsham entertain Bishops Lydeard.

Adam Mitchell and Nick Chandler were Corsham’s scorers at Keynsham, where they led the high-fliers 2-1 at the interval.

Kurt Hammonds and Matthew Dyer netted for Warminster Town in a 2-2 home draw with Wincanton on Saturday.