MELKSHAM TOWN boss Kieran Baggs will be without top scorer Jonathan Davies until the new year after the 28-year-old dislocated his collarbone in the 3-0 win over Barnstaple Town on Saturday, writes JONATHAN LEIGHFIELD.

Before getting injured, Davies struck twice after Reece Rusher's opener to give his side a fourth win in five games and move Melksham into the Southern League Division One South play-off places ahead of their next league game against Thatcham Town.

Since shipping three goals away to Highworth Town in late November in only their second league defeat of the season, Melksham have now gone two games without conceding, doubling their clean sheet tally for the campaign.

Baggs admitted that clean sheets were at the forefront of his mind moving forward and gained satisfaction from the way his side dealt with the difficult conditions to move past a potential banana skin in the shape of bottom-of-the-table Barnstaple.

He said: “I’ve been a little bit disappointed with the amount of goals we’ve been shipping recently.

"We’ve brought in Nuno (Felix) and Tom Warren, and they’ve helped shore up the defence with a little bit more experience recently.

“Conditions were really bad in the first half on Saturday. It was nothing to do with the pitch, that was in an immaculate condition, but the sheer amount of wind made it so difficult for the players.

“The ball kept getting held up, but as soon as we got the first goal, it became a relatively comfortable day for us.

“No disrespect to Barnstaple, they worked really hard and tried to match us for as long as they could, but I think our overall performance just kicked up a gear after half-time.

“We put the game to bed in a quick 15-minute blitz.

“Jonathan Davies has been very good for us this season and he’s our top goalscorer, so we’re going to have to make sure we pull together and grind out a few results over the next few weeks without him.”

Baggs also paid tribute to Melksham’s home fans after the win, citing them as a key factor in determining whether his side can continue their form over the Christmas period.

He said: “It’s another win, at home as well, in front of a really good crowd again.

"Over 350 Melksham fans were there, and it was a horrible day, weather-wise, so the lads really appreciated the support from the fans.

"We hope that continues, especially with the busy Christmas schedule ahead of us.

“We’ve moved up into the play-off spots now with three goals and a clean sheet, so it was a good weekend for Melksham.”