LES PHILLIPS CUP: MELKSHAM survived a late onslaught from near neighbours Calne to progress to the third round of the Les Phillips Cup.

Nigel Tripp's side were two up just after the hour mark thanks to efforts from Tom Pang and Neil Thomas.

Calne's James Lye reduced the deficit but despite a slightly nervy finish the home team held on until the final whistle.

Tripp said: "I thought we just deserved it really. It was a hard game but in the cup the performance comes second because it is just nice to get through and into the hat.

"It was a good result for us and Neil Thomas was excellent in the middle of the park.

They put Glenn Armstrong up front near the end and he looked sharp but we managed to hold on."

Calne boss Kelvin Highmore said the whole club was bitterly disappointed to have exited the competition. "The game could have gone either way. Melksham had a great start but we were on top late in the first half and with it 0-0 at half-time I was quietly confident.

"Our spirit was good and we felt we could get on top of them and would have the edge on fitness.

"But they got two goals out of nothing really that we gave them rather than making them earn which you can't legislate for.

"We pulled one back and how we never got level I don't know. If we equalised I don't think they would have scored again because they were hanging on.

"It was frustrating because it was a game we honestly believed was winnable. Everyone was very disappointed to lose."

Calne are set to make a seven-day approach for Melksham midfielder Kevin Banks.

Highmore recently signed goalkeeper Dave Hunt from Melksham and has had to wait 28 days before approaching another of their players.

He said: "I have been following Kevin for a long time. I spoke to him in the summer and he said he wanted to stay at Melksham.

"I know he wants to play football but he is not a regular at Melksham so there is no harm having another bite at the cherry."