Frome Town manager Andy Crabtree praised his squad’s determination as they hit three goals in the last half hour to overcome Calne 3-1 on Saturday.

The boss had been worried about the Toolstation Premier League clash with their local rivals, having played 120 minutes of football on the Wednesday prior in their Somerset Cup quarter final victory over Welton.

Crabtree feared the worst when his side fell behind on the hour mark but his players found extra energy reserves to mount a fightback, with Simeon Allison the star performer, scoring two goals and creating a third.

“To put in a performance like that in the last 30 minutes shows what character we have,” he said.

“We had a hard cup game just a few days before which went to extra-time and could have been used as an excuse.

“We had a plan for coping with the three games in seven days and thankfully it has worked for us.”

Allison equalised on 70 minutes but it was the goal which put Frome in front that earned all the plaudits.

A mis-placed cross found Mark Salter with his back to goal in the area, but the forward displayed amazing agility to place an overhead kick into the corner of the net, before Allison added a killer final goal. There is no doubting we were deserved winners,” said Crabtree. “Mark’s goal was probably our best of the season so far.

“Simeon is a player who anyone would like to have in their side and is a real handful on his day.”

Crabtree also revealed he is close to signing a defender from a rival Toolstation Premier club.

Frome’s League Cup clash against Bristol Manor Farm on Tuesday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.