MELKSHAM Town took advantage of league leaders Cadbury Heath dropping two points as they clinched victory in the west Wiltshire derby.

Dave Clayton's men secured their seventh victory on the trot as Westbury paid the price for a slow start.

The home side started well and an early penalty area scramble saw Alex Shaftoe save from David Thompson and Jason Collier clear Dan Kovacs’ header off the line.

United soon got into their stride and Bobby Mitchell dispossessed Jamie Oliver and sent Mark Young running through on goal where he was denied by Tom Drewitt’s leg save.

In Westbury’s next attack Luke Turvey tried his luck from 20 yards but the ball went a few feet wide.

A scrappy period of play saw a few tackles fly in and set pieces wasted by both sides before Simon Millard’s direct ball gave Jamie Mines a chance but his first touch was poor which allowed Drewitt to save.

Shaftoe had to be alert too and he made a fine save to tip a Thompson header onto his left hand post after Ian Jeffery’s free kick.

Young had a great chance to put United ahead just before half time but, having received the ball from Luke Stanley’s throw in, he somehow managed to miss the target!

Westbury were surprisingly sloppy after the break and Town took full advantage on 48 minutes.

Luke Smith sent in a deep cross that Shaftoe called to claim but he missed the ball and Griffiths looped a header into the net to make it 1-0.

After another scrappy period United came to equalising when a Millard corner curled and clipped the crossbar but Melksham went 2-0 up from the penalty spot on 71 minutes.

Matt Mead bundled over Thompson and Gary Higdon made no mistake with the kick.

They almost went into a three-goal lead a minute later with a fast move that led to Kovacs heading a Higdon cross inches wide.

Westbury went on all out attack in the final 15 minutes and Mead brought a good save out of Drewitt with a 20-yard shot.

They got a lifeline on 79 minutes when, with men forward following a free kick, Stephen Fox was fouled by Oliver and a penalty resulted.

Mines struck the spot kick confidently to set up a frantic finale.

Melksham denied United any clear chances despite them having a number of players in attacking positions and came close to adding to their tally when Shaftoe saved a late Higdon effort.

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