MALMESBURY Victoria came from a goal down to beat Shortwood United 3-1 and stay on course for a home play-off semi-final in the Hellenic League Division One.

But it was a real battle for Vics against the 10 men of Shortwood, who also had two players sin-binned at various points in a chaotic second-half at Meadowbank.

Dan Gayner's penalty put the hosts in front after just 13 minutes of the game following a handball in the box and Wood had further chances to extend their lead on the break during what was one of their best halves of football this season.

But the second-half is where their discipline cost them and Malmesbury capitalised to give themselves breathing room in the race for the play-offs. They remain third in the table, 11 points clear of sixth-placed FC Bristol, who have also played three games more then Malmesbury.

Vics took the lead after 62 minutes when a move down the right left Phin with a clinical eight-yard finish.

Elliot Martin was sin-binned and Ethan Royer picked up two yellow cards to get sent off and at one point, Wood were down to nine.

It was a hardly a surprise that the hosts threw caution to the wind trying to get an equaliser in the closing stages, but when Phin added a second with 10 minutes to play, the result was secured for the Vics.

Malmesbury are next in action on Tuesday night at home to Calne Town (7.45 pm kick-off).