Zak Munton makes his 200th appearance for Bourne Town in their victory over Deeping Rangers

Zak Munton marked a milestone appearance by helping to fire Bourne Town to a derby victory on Tuesday night.

Munton was making his 200th appearance for his home-town club and he set the Wakes on their way to a fourth successive victory in all competitions by netting the opening goal in their 2-1 triumph over Deeping Rangers.

A fantastic free-kick from Zac Allen then doubled Bourne's lead in the second half of the United Counties League Premier Division North clash which attracted a bumper crowd of 492 to the Haydon Whitham Stadium.

Although Josh Moreman pulled a goal back late on for Deeping, the home side fell to their sixth successive league loss of the campaign despite a much-improved showing.

The Clarets had gone into the first league derby meeting between the two clubs for 15 years on the back of a wretched run of form.

However, they looked more determined than recent games to overturn their poor start against a Bourne side packed with former Deeping players and an ex-Rangers management team.

Bourne conceded possession cheaply in the opening exchanges and it needed a vital block from Brad Marshall to deny Matt Sparrow early on.

Deeping won a succession of free-kicks in dangerous areas but Sparrow and Will Barnes were unable to make the most of well-placed opportunities and never tested Dan Swan in the Bourne goal.

The Wakes had the best chance of the first half when Allen was sent racing clear but his tame shot was easily smothered by Deeping goalkeeper Tyler Key.

The Bourne play-maker would make amends later with a sublime set piece but it was an excellent opening spurned that could have dented a home side low of confidence even further.

Deeping looked to make the most of the let-off with Sparrow testing Swan who was comfortably equal to the strike before Bourne took a 20th minute lead.

Munton collected possession out wide on the left and drifted inside before curling home a fine finish into the far corner of the Deeping net.

Bourne were now in the ascendency and they came close on a couple of occasions to adding a vital second goal before the break.

Cameron Johnson headed just wide moments after the opening goal before Will Bird converted a header from Allen's cross which was disallowed for a push by the former Rangers marksman.

Barnes connected well with another free-kick at the other end but his effort was just off target before Bird went close with another header from Munton's cross as the half drew to a close.

Both sides made tentative starts to the second half with Dan Flack fizzing a shot over the crossbar for Bourne while Sam Mulready glanced a header wide for the hosts.

Bourne then doubled their lead in style in the 68th minute as Allen whipped a stunning 30-yard free-kick into the roof of the Rangers net.

The game was back in Bourne's control again and Johnson headed wide from a gilt-edged chance to put the game beyond his former club.

Key was also down well to deny the former Stamford marksman as Bourne were unable to find that all-important next goal to shrug off their hosts.

Spencer Tinkler had an effort disallowed for offside and all of a sudden there was a glimmer of hope for Rangers as Bourne failed to put their hosts to bed with Allen driving another shot wide after cutting inside.

Rangers probably hadn't had the serious attacking threat of their visitors but the introduction of Josh Moreman pepped up their frontline.

He halved the deficit with a back post header in the final minute of normal time as Bourne conceded a late goal for the third time in the last six games.

It set up a more nervy finale than it should have been for the visitors but they held out to move within three points of the play-off places in their first season back at step five of the non-league pyramid.

Rangers - who are still seeking a new manager following the departure of Johnny Alflatt - can take heart from halting the run of heavy defeats but remain rooted at the foot of the table and will need to replicate their derby endeavours if they are to rise up the table.

Both sides are in League KO Cup action on Saturday with Deeping hosting Coventry United and Bourne taking on Gresley Rovers at the JJ Mac Stadium.