MELKSHAM moved into the next round of the FA Vase, despite boss Darren Perrin being ordered out of his technical area against Highmoor Ibis.

The Melksham manager was sanctioned late on after a clash with Highmoor’s Jordan Brown sparked a melee in front of the home dugout.

Perrin said: “Their player has gone to take a quick throw-in and shoved me, which sparked a bit of a melee, but the referee sorted that all out. I was asked to leave my technical area for not giving the ball back.''

Melksham booked a second round proper clash with Toolstation League Premier Division rivals Slimbridge after beating their Hellenic League opponents 2-1 after extra time, thanks to two goals from Gary Higdon.

The visitors’ Mitchell Parker opened the scoring after 47 minutes before Dan Kovacs went down under challenge of Dwayne Coultress, allowing Higdon to fire home the penalty spot after Calam Gallimore had been shown a straight red for his protests.

Higdon slotted home the winner seven minutes into extra time and Melksham held on to progress past Highmoor, who also had their own manager sent to the stands for questioning a refereeing decision, despite Leigh Rogers picking up a second booking for a challenge late on.

Perrin added: “They were a decent side, as you’d expect with them being top of their league, and they were difficult to play against.

“I’m delighted with my players for the way they dealt with it and we obviously look forward to the next round. Although we’re well aware that Slimbridge have beaten us 3-0 at home earlier this season and they could well have gone above us in the league by the time we play them.”