MELKSHAM Town manager Kieran Baggs hailed a milestone performance after a wonder strike from Gary Higdon secured a 1-0 victory over Bridport in the Toolstation Premier Division.

The opening seconds of the game saw a move of more than a dozen passes end with Higdon catching the ball on his chest before volleying home with his weaker left foot.

Melksham then showed another side to their game after having Michael Perrott sent off, keeping a clean sheet over the remaining 89 minutes plus injury time, when they also had chances to add to their lead.

Momentum is now firmly with Melksham, who have gone three league games unbeaten without conceding, a tally which rises to four in all competitions.

Baggs said: “It was our goal of the season. It was 10, 11 or 12 passes all the way through the team and out wide before Gary caught it on his wrong foot and put a superb volley into the top corner.

“Going down to 10 men after 30 minutes was a blow but we kept Bridport to half-chances and we could have gone two or three goals up in the second half.

“It’s probably the performance of the season as it’s more pleasing to win a game like that than to go to Wells and win 10-0 like we did.

“You learn a lot more about the players and you learn a lot more about yourself as a manger in a tight match like this one.”

Higdon’s volley got the home side off to a flying start, after which blustery conditions and the sending-off meant a robust defensive display was needed.

“Some days you get the tactics spot on and this was one of those days,” Baggs said.

“The conditions were some of the worst you could play football in but the lads all bought into it and they put in one hell of a shift.

“They all deserve massive credit for the way they acquitted themselves and the spirit they showed.

“It was a brilliant team effort and we are going to build on it and take it into the next game.”

Melksham now lie fifth in the league and travel to the side immediately above them - Shepton Mallet - this weekend.

Meanwhile, Baggs’ men have been drawn away to Wantage Town in the second round of the FA Vase, to be played on November 11.