MELKSHAM Town manager Darren Perrin felt fatigue was a factor as his side drew 2-2 at home to Chipping Sodbury Town on Saturday.

The previous Monday, Melksham had stunned Toolstation Premier Division leaders Bristol Manor Farm 2-1 – that result coming two days after a tough Les Phillips Cup victory away at lower league Warminster Town.

Perrin conceded that those games caught up with his players at the weekend, with Melksham grateful for Gary Higdon’s equaliser two minutes from time at Oakfields.

The hosts fell behind after half-an-hour but Sam Jordan hauled them level at the break. The visitors got their noses in front again midway through the second half but a late rally from Perrin’s men earned them a share of the spoils.

“It was a little bit like after the Lord Mayor’s show for us. We looked a little bit tired and leggy after our exploits against Bristol Manor Farm on the Monday night,” said Perrin, whose side remain third in the table.

“We had two games in three days last week – one on an absolute quagmire of a pitch and the other against the best team in the league. Although we still had four days to recover and prepare, you could tell that had taken it out of the lads.

“Credit to the players, though, as they kept battling, and in the last 10 minutes, we had enough chances to win it. That would have been harsh on Chipping Sodbury, though, as I think over the course of the game, a draw was a fair result.”

Melksham are now 14 points adrift of Manor Farm at the summit and Perrin is hoping for a strong finish over the final eight games of the campaign in order to secure a top-four finish.

“The players could easily have chucked the towel in on Saturday and felt sorry for themselves but they kept going, and it’s another point that could be very important in our quest to try to finish in the top four,” said Perrin.

“One thing you might say is that we’ve drawn seven games now, and maybe that’s a few too many, but we’ll keep plugging on and see what we can do.

“What will be, will be. We have just got to keep our own house in order and focus on ourselves. We’ll keep working hard, try to pick up as many points as we can, and we’ll just see where we end up.”

Elsewhere, Bradford Town made it seven wins on the spin in all competitions when they swept aside Longwell Green Sports 4-1, courtesy of Dan Cottle’s hat-trick.

Cottle needed just six minutes to break the deadlock for Bradford, although the visitors got themselves level at the break.

It was one-way traffic after the restart, though, as Cottle put Danny Greaves’ side back in front. James Kurt then got in on the act before Cottle completed his treble.

Bradford are now up to fifth, just three points behind county rivals Melksham, although Greaves’ side have played a game more.