Football

Bridport 0 Melksham Town 3

MELKSHAM inflicted the first of two weekend defeats on Bridport that has seen them slip to within in an inch of their Premier Division lives.

In a game full of defensive mistakes the Wiltshire side's composure in the final third saw them run away with the points and the Bees slip to 18th position.

Kevin Donovan felt the result was decided by the first goal after which his side capitulated.

He said: "I thought the game was far too open.

"We didn't stick to our shape because the players were so desperate to win the match.

"Until the first goal went in both sides had chances and I felt the first to score would win the game. "When they scored that first goal we became visibly deflated.

"We looked a beaten side long before the end."

Martin Peters comfortably saved a spot-kick from Jamie Cheeseman during the early stages after Pete Copeland was harshly adjudged to have fouled Liam Byfield.

Before that Adam Gingell had hit the bar for the Wiltshire side and Tony Cunningham had gone close with a header at the other end.

Ian Linney then took advantage of the visitors' defensive frailties and hammered a scorching drive against their bar as the game swung from end to end.

Melksham then grabbed control of the game when Gary Higdon looped a header over Peters and after that they didn't look back.

Higdon hit the woodwork early in the second period and Byfield gratefully slotted home the rebound to double Melksham's advantage.

Kris Beasley was also denied by the upright before, with only seconds remaining, Gingell side footed home a long throw from Lee Burns.

Match Facts BRIDPORT 0 MELKSHAM TOWN 3 Higdon 33, Byfield 58, Gingell 90 Bridport: Peters, Linney, Leach, Tim Cunningham, Copeland, Gawen (Newland 74), Tony Cunningham (M Lock 69), Wise, Flann (Taylor 69), Hitchcock, Ritchie. Bees man of the match: Martin Peters Attendance: 153