MELKSHAM Town boss Darren Perrin lauded the fighting spirit in the camp as they battled back from a nightmare start against Odd Down.

Town’s title credentials were pushed to the limits against second-placed Odd Down as the leaders fell 2-0 behind inside six minutes.

But Melksham mounted a brave comeback and Ryan Bennett gave them a lifeline before the break, while Ricky Hulbert earned Town a share of the spoils after the restart.

“I’m immensely proud of the players,” said Perrin, whose side won 4-1 at Cadbury Heath on Saturday.

“We couldn’t have got off to a worse start and at 2-0 you fear the worst.

“It’s unlike us but you have to give credit to Odd Down. They came out and had a right go at us and we got undone by it.

“We rallied round and got back in the game. The character in the side was fantastic, we’re delighted with the resolve of the players.

“It was a well earned point and if you’d offered us four points from the week we’d certainly have taken that.”

Hulbert and Luke Ballinger both came into the Melksham squad from Frome Town and Chippenham Town respectively and Perrin was delighted with their contributions.

He said: “We owe a great deal to Adie Foster at Frome and Mark Collier at Chippenham. They’ve both got long injury lists but they’ve massively helped us out.

“Both Ricky and Luke have played for me before so I know what they can do and they were outstanding for us on Wednesday.”

Melksham have just one game over Easter and travel to local rivals Bradford Town on Good Friday, a team they have lost to in both the league and FA Vase this term.

Perrin: “There’s no extra motivation for us. We know we’re in for a difficult game.”