MELKSHAM Town manager Darren Perrin was delighted with resilience shown by his side as they came from behind to dump Hartley Wintney out of the FA Vase.

The Combined Counties League Premier Division side, who are walking away with their league with a 10-point advantage at the summit, got off to the perfect start as Dean Stow struck for the hosts in the 12th minute.

However, Perrin’s side regrouped and were back on level terms five minutes before the break when Mike Perrott kept the ball up before volleying in off the woodwork.

Then, with 20 minutes left on the clock, Sam Jordan outpaced his defender and finished with aplomb to send Melksham through.

“It was a great cup tie, to be fair,” said Perrin.

“They were a very good side, as their league position would suggest, but my players rallied around after a disappointing start and we hung in there and were worthy winners in the end.

“We were feeling a bit sorry for ourselves, because after the first 10 or 15 minutes, we had gilt-edged chances – not half-chances – and you start thinking: ‘is it going to be one of those nights?’ “I am delighted to progress and I look forward to the next round now.”

Melksham now face a trip to Wessex League outfit Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the next round on December 3, but Perrin sees no reason why his current batch of players can’t make a name for themselves in this competition.

“For clubs like Melksham, financially, it is important,” he added.

“It helps us considerably and nationally, you get a bit more exposure, which can only be good for the football club.

“We’d like to stay in all cup competitions as long as we can.

“The side we have got at the moment; I am always confident we can do well in this competition but it gets tougher and tougher.

“It is now a bit of a local derby in the next round. If we are fortunate enough to win that game, we are in the last 32 of a national competition and anything can happen.”

Bradford Town will host Cornwall’s Torpoint Athletic in the third round after romping past Hellenic League side Brimscombe & Thrupp 5-0 in their second round replay at Trowbridge Road on Wednesday.

The tie was over at half-time as Bradford soared into a five-goal lead, Matt Morris and Dan Cottle each scoring twice and Martin Lenihan also finding the target. Morris and Lenihan had also scored in Saturday’s 2-2 draw in Gloucestershire.