DARREN Perrin is back at his hometown club after being named as Melksham Town's new manager today.

The former Chippenham Town and Frome Town chief, who guided Melksham to promotion into the Western League Premier Division in the 1996-1997 season, is back at the Conigre to succeed Dave Clayton, whose spell as manager came to an end earlier this week.

Perrin, who left Southern League Frome in April, was at Melksham this afternoon to watch his new side progress to the second qualifying round of the FA Vase but admits that he empathises with his predecessor.

“I feel for the previous manager, who's a good friend of mine and used to play for me, because he did a good job for the club when he took over from Adam Young – he's worked extremely hard and he's got Melksham Town at heart,” said Perrin.

“And the bottom line is that the players have got to look at themselves because they let Dave down.

“He's a top bloke and he's always welcome back at the club. He can hold his head high at this football club, just like I like to think I can at Frome.

“There's no questioning the players' ability but there's things that we need to work on.

“I'd like to think that I can strengthen the side with a couple of signings in the coming week and hopefully we can amass enough points to stay in this league.”

Melksham booked their place in the next round of the FA Vase with a 4-1 victory over local rivals Devizes Town earlier today.

The hosts took the lead with their first effort on goal, with defender Matt Sharp rising highest to head home Dave Macey's free-kick with just three minutes on the clock.

Devizes went close to levelling matters through Luke Enderby's deflected free-kick shortly afterwards but full-back Sayeed Ibrahim made it 2-0 midway through the half as he beat visiting keeper Mike Alexander at his near post with a low effort from range.

Dan Kovacs pounced to extend Melksham's lead shortly before half-time.

Devizes did hit back ten minutes into the second period, after midfielder Ant Packer was tripped by Dan Griffiths in the box.

Andy Brien's spot-kick was saved by Tom Drewett but the winger had time to collect the rebound and shimmy past the Melksham goalie before slotting home.

But the hosts restored their three-goal lead as Kovacs beat the offside and latched on to a long ball forward before delicately lobbing an effort over the Devizes goalie and into the net.

MORE FROM THE NEW MELKSHAM TOWN MANAGER AND CHAIRMAN DAVE WILTSHIRE IN NEXT THURSDAY'S GAZETTE AND HERALD AND NEXT FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport AND @WTSport