Bitton 2, Melksham Town 0 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bitton 2, Melksham Town 0

JUSTIN Messenger believes the future is bright at Melksham Town despite seeing them crash to their fourth defeat of the season on Saturday

The Melksham player-assistant boss took the reins in the absence of manager Kelvin Highmore and was encouraged by a lively performance from a youthful starting line-up.

The result leaves Melksham just one place above the bottom six in the Toolstation League Premier Division, but Messenger has seen more than enough to suggest the club is on the up.

He said: "The result was far from deserved.

"They came at us in the first 20 minutes and got their goal but after that we dominated the rest of the half.

"We then battered them in the second half but with their only attack of the game they scored their second. It was disappointing but I could not fault the work rate of the lads at all.

"I have gone into their clubhouse after the game and their people have said we are not like a Melksham side of old. We have a good young side with the right blend of experience and they said that was refreshing to see.

"The hardest thing now is to keep hold of players. We would never stop anyone going into a higher league but it is disappointing when you see young lads dropping down a level. That is quite hard to believe."

Simon Price, Matt Minnus and Nick Mooney were all denied a first half equaliser as Melksham pressed forward to cancel out Bitton's early opener from a corner.

The second half continued in similar fashion but Bitton held firm and another slice of luck from a corner saw them seal the win.

Messenger said: "It was disappointing to concede two goals from set pieces as that was all they really did.

"When me and Kelvin came here in the summer we set our stall out to finish in midtable this summer and then push on from there.

"Looking at the players' work rate over the last few games I don't think we will have any problems with regards staying up.

"We are a few games behind which has put pressure on us but I am positive we will be fine."

Melksham entertain Bridgwater tomorrow.