Swindon Supermarine 1, Melksham Town 0 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Swindon Supermarine 1, Melksham Town 0

FA CUP: MELKSHAM boss Kelvin Highmore has praised his players for battling their hearts out in an agonising FA Cup loss to Swindon Supermarine.

The Toolstation Premier Division side travelled to the Southern Football League Division One West promotion chasers on Saturday in a first round qualifying tie, only to be undone 1-0 by a late strike.

Despite the daunting trip, Highmore felt his side were unlucky not to produce an upset, falling to Ricky Hulbert's 83rd minute goal.

Highmore said: "I'm a little bit disappointed to be honest.

"Gareth Evans pulled off a couple of great saves in the first half and we came in 0-0.

"That was very pleasing. I said to the lads that they had done exceptionally well, but I said to the full backs to push on as they would normally and link up the play and I said let's play some football.

"If we're going to lose it, let's at least go out giving it a good shot.

"In the second half we were superb. We played some good football and we really matched them.

"To concede with eight minutes to go was a killer. I thought it was going to a replay or that we might even pinch something, because as the game went on they were getting more and more frustrated.

"The lads were superb. They battled their hearts out, but to no avail in the end."

Melksham's already difficult task was made no easier with the absence of Ryan Trowbridge, Adam Gingell and Lee Burke through suspension, while Jamie Cheeseman returned to Chippenham from his loan spell for the FA Cup weekend.

Hulbert terrorised the Melksham defence in the first half, shooting over after two minutes before seeing Evans foil a superb solo run with a smart save.

More heroics from Evans throughout the half kept the score at 0-0 and gave Melksham a real chance going into the second period.

Evans was again called into action, saving at close range from Brad Newman, before Steve Davies clipped a post with a header.

However, the away side began to grow in confidence and it looked as if they might hold on for a replay, but Hulbert cruelly struck in the 83rd minute from ten yards out after the defence could not clear a ball into the box.

Melksham pushed bodies forward in the remaining seven minutes and had a good claim for a penalty waved away, after Dave Macey was caught in the box.

Despite their appeals being turned down, it looked as if Melksham were going to snatch a late draw, but Swindon defender Steve Bennett somehow scooped the ball over from underneath his own crossbar just ahead of Macey.

"I'm still sitting here thinking how did he keep it out," said Highmore. "We have had a couple of really good chances at the end."

Melksham now turn their attention back to the league, where they face a tough game at home to Willand Rovers on Saturday, with the news that midfielder James Etough has re-signed for the club.

Etough had left in the summer to join rivals Odd Down, but returned to Melksham last week.

Highmore said: "We didn't want to lose him in the first place, but he was injured and then he had a moment of weakness and signed for Odd Down, but he's apologised and there's no worries there."

Highmore also welcomes back Trowbridge, Gingell and Burke from suspension, although Gingell may miss out with a groin strain.

The Melksham boss added that he would be speaking to Chippenham manager Darren Perrin in the next few days to see if Cheeseman would be allowed to return on loan.

"It's a big game for us," said Highmore. "They're a good side. I thought they were a good side last year, but they've strengthened this year.

"Corsham had a great result against them at the weekend. If we can get a result on Saturday it will be absolutely brilliant.

"We're full of confidence and we've only lost two games so far. We should be in a strong position. We've got four players coming back. We should be back to as full strength as we can be."

Highworth are in the hat for the second qualifying round draw after beating Western League Elmore 2-1.

Stuart Bellinger put John Fisher's men in front before half-time. Phil Corcoran doubled the advantage but Danny Tapp made the last 20 minutes uncomfortable for the home fans.