MELKSHAM Town's hopes of a top ten Premier Division finish are still very much alive after they extended their unbeaten run to five matches on Tuesday night with victory over eighth placed visitors Backwell United.

Top scorer Matty Messenger scored the only goal of the game on the hour after good work by Frankie Coleman on the edge of the area.

Messenger's strike ensured three points for Melksham in their last home game and player-manager Robbie Lardner was delighted with his side's performance.

He said: "We played very well against a good side. Backwell are a good footballing team, but we were organised, up for it and I felt we deserved to win the game."

Lardner paid tribute to both the youngsters and the more experienced heads in his team following their recent efforts.

Lardner said: "With all the injury problems we have had this season, to finish halfway would be magnificent.

"There aren't too many sides who would continue to get results with the amount of youngsters we have in the side.

"We had six or seven in there on Tuesday and my substitutes' bench was like a kindergarten. They have all done well, but credit must go to the senior players for guiding them through it.

"The likes of Nigel Tripp, Jeremy Christopher and Justin Messenger have realised it is up to us older heads to help them."

THE champagne remained on ice for league leaders Bideford at The Conigre on Saturday as Melksham Town did their utmost to spoil the visitors' promotion party by earning themselves a deserved share of the points.

Bideford went into the clash knowing three points could guarantee them the league title, but the home side defended superbly throughout with goalkeeper Darren Chitty and 18-year-old Adam Young in commanding form.

Mike Southgate went close for Bideford on seven minutes, but it was the home side who were rewarded for their early pressure when winger Nick Tiley volleyed home a cross from teenager Kevin Banks.

Melksham's season finishes with a short trip to Westbury United this evening and an away game at Yeovil Town Reserves on Bank Holiday Monday.