MELKSHAM Town boss Darren Perrin saluted Ricky Hulbert's winner as the perfect way to bid a final farewell to their Conigre home as the injury-time strike downed Bradford Town in Boxing Day's west Wiltshire derby.

Hulbert struck with time running out to settle a well-contested Toolstation League Premier Division encounter that had seen each side have a man sent off and the visitors miss a second-half penalty.

Melksham's lengthy wait to move into their purpose-built Woolmore Farm home will finally come to an end at their next home clash - a top-of-the-table affair against Bristol Manor Farm on January 14 - and Perrin reckoned a late winner in front of a bumper crowd numbering near 500 was the perfect send-off for their base of 96 years.

"It's definitely the last league game at the Conigre and it was a fitting way to finish there by beating a local rival,'' said the manager.

"It's the nice way for the Conigre to close down, especially with it being in front of a bumper crowd.''

He added: "The pitch was very sticky and heavy and personally, I was disappointed we were not two or three goals to the good by half-time, when we should have put the game to bed.

"But credit to Bradford, they came back and we were indebted to our goalkeeper (Rob Brown) for saving the penalty (from Martin Lenihan) after 60 minutes.

"We were a bit taken aback by the physical nature of Bradford. I've watched them play and they are a good side but I felt we got the win we deserved in the end.''

Perrin, who was without a number of players for the match and saw Ross Lye sent off for two bookable offences, added: "I'm pleased because it was arguably our worst performance of the season. We were pretty depleted but it sets us up nicely for the new year.

"We can't wait (to move into the new stadium) now. It really is incredible.

"We're still in the Les Phillips Cup, the FA Vase and of course in there in the league too so there is plenty to play for.

"We're delighted with the way 2016 has gone for the club, with winning the Wiltshire Senior Cup and hopefully we can have another great year.''

Bradford Town boss Danny Greaves was philosophical in defeat although he conceded the manner of the loss was a tough pill to swallow.

"It's a bit of a sickener. I can't think of a worse way to lose a game than that. It was Melksham's first real chance of the second half and a lapse in concentration cost us.

"Our regular penalty taker Alex Monks was sent off in the first half and Martin Lenihan stepped up to take our penalty but the keeper guessed right.

"It was a bit of bad luck and the story of our day. Kane Simpson also had another great chance.

"It's been fine margins against the top sides in this division and we probably haven't had the rub of the green against those sides this season.

"But we're fifth in the league and still in the FA Vase (their next match is the fourth round tie against London side Southall on January 7) so we're still doing very well.''