MELKSHAM Town manager Kieran Baggs conceded missed opportunities cost his side the chance to extend their winning run in the Toolstation Premier Division to a sixth game as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Cribbs.

After a spate of cup fixtures, Town were returning to league action for the first time in three weeks at the weekend and had won their previous five matches in the competition, dating back to September 30.

Melksham’s hopes of continuing that form suffered an early blow, however, when Jake Slocombe fired Cribbs ahead at Oakfields with little more than a minute on the clock.

The hosts’ response was swift and barely five minutes had passed before Jake Brown hauled them level.

Baggs’ troops dominated the game from then until the final whistle but try as they might, they were unable to come up with a winning goal.

“We started really poorly and were 1-0 down after only a minute, I think Cribbs scored from their first attack,” said Baggs.

“We got better and Jake Brown managed to equalise just a few minutes later and after that it was one-way traffic but we just could not score.

“We hit the bar twice, we missed two one-on-one chances, we had an open goal at the back post which wasn’t taken – it was just one of those days.

“With where Melksham Town are these days, people will set up to make it difficult for you. Cribbs were taking the ball into the corners at 1-1 and were happy to come here and get a point.

“Fair play to them, that’s their prerogative, we have to take it as a compliment.”

The draw sees Melksham fall to fourth in the table and they are now nine points behind league leaders Street, with Baggs’ side now turning their attentions to the FA Vase, when they travel to Premier Division rivals Bridgwater Town on Saturday.

“It was a game we expected to win so we have to look at it as two points dropped but I said to the players afterwards that although the winning run is over, we are still on unbeaten run,” said Baggs.

“The most important thing is if you can’t score, you keep it tight and make sure you get a draw.”