DARREN Perrin is targeting a third-placed finish in the Toolstation League Premier Division to ensure Melksham Town capitalise if the prospect of promotion becomes available.

Melksham’s hopes of finishing second behind runaway leaders Bristol Manor Farm suffered a big setback on Saturday when they were beaten 3-2 at home by Street, who have now moved four points above them.

However, that has not overly affected Town’s chances of going up at the end of the season as their new Oakfields home has met the required regulations to join the Southern League, while Street’s Tannery Ground has not.

Should a second Toolstation team be granted promotion this season, Perrin wants to make sure it is Melksham who are there waiting to accept the invite so is desperate to remain clear of fourth-placed Buckland Athletic over the final four games.

“We have had some great news in that we have met the ground grading requirements to be promoted over the next three years,” said Perrin.

“We know Street have failed their ground grading, so if there is a second promotion place this season, then that would go to third place.

“When we won the league two years ago, Buckland finished second but it was Slimbridge who got promoted from third.

“Right now, as far as we are concerned, there is only one promotion spot and that will be for Bristol Manor Farm and congratulations to them. It’s deservedly so as they’ve had a fantastic season.

“Who knows, there might be restructuring of leagues or other clubs might have financial difficulty, so there could be a second promotion place.

“If there is, then we’d take it with both hands.

“Our job now is to try to finish third and we will just see what that leads to.”

Melksham had looked on course to jump into second spot on Saturday – only for a costly red card to prove their undoing.

An own goal and Gary Higdon’s penalty put Perrin’s side 2-0 up at the break but they went down to 10 men seven minutes after the restart when Lee Davidson was dismissed for a kick out.

Ross McErlain’s header gave Street a lifeline from the resulting free-kick before Ben Robertson hauled the visitors level and Melksham’s misery was complete with 15 minutes to go when Dale Hunt netted the winner for the visitors.

Perrin said: “We were in total control and they hadn’t really troubled us at all but then there was a rash moment from Lee and it was completely out of character for him.

“It was just unfortunate that the free-kick has resulted in a goal because we haven’t had any time to regroup or reshape. After that it was a very tough last half-an-hour in what were very hot conditions.

“I’m not going to berate one of my players because our discipline has been fantastic this year, it’s just unfortunate that on this occasion, a bit of indiscipline has cost us.”