NICK Ridout fired Melksham Town Reserves into the Senior Knockout Cup final with a 4-3 extra time win away at Trowbridge Wanderers.

With a pulsating semi-final seemingly set to be decided on a penalty shoot-out, Ridout popped up with his second goal of the game to snatch victory for Melksham.

Steve Burns’ side also had Ridout to thank for even getting them into extra-time, as he bagged an equaliser to make it 3-3 five minutes from the end of normal time.

Ash Barnett and Tom Jones were also on target for Melksham, who will now face Ludgershall Sports in the final on May 2 after they saw off FC Chippenham Youth 3-2 in the other last-four clash.

Boss Burns said: “It was a really good game. Trowbridge Wanderers are a good side and have had some good results of late, so we knew we knew it would be tough. It was going one way then the other right the way through.

“Ludgershall will be a tough game in the final. We’ve played them twice already this season and it finished 0-0 each time.”

Malmesbury Victoria took advantage of previous league leaders Melksham’s cup distraction to climb to the top of the table with an emphatic 5-1 win away at Devizes Town Reserves.

Goal difference is all that separates Malmesbury, Melksham and third-placed Ludgershall, but Vics have played the fewest games.

“We’ve given up on winning it. We just want to try to get as many points as we can to finish second,” said Burns.

“But we are a reserve side and to reach a cup final and finish second in the league would still be an amazing achievement for us.”

Elsewhere, Southbrook saw off Vale of Pewsey 4-2, a scoreline matched by Wootton Bassett Town Development when they entertained Shrewton United.

There was also a pair of 3-1 victories, as Trowbridge Town defeated Marlborough Town, while Westbury United Reserves triumphed at Wilts Calne Town.

Finally, Wroughton United beat Sarum Youth 2-1.

On Tuesday, Malmesbury were held 3-3 at Southbrook, Trowbridge Town beat Vale of Pewsey 3-2, Devizes Reserves saw off Wilts Calne Town 3-1, and Shrewton beat Marlborough 2-1.