MELKSHAM Town manager Darren Perrin reckons missed chances were the deciding factor as his side’s FA Vase ambitions came to an end in a fourth round replay.

After holding Toolstation Premier Division leaders Bristol Manor Farm to a 1-1 draw a week earlier, the two sides did battle again last Saturday, with the match also marking the opening of Melksham’s new Oakfields ground.

Perrin’s men took a while to settle into their new surroundings though, and Manor Farm capitalised on the hosts’ slow start to the match to roar into a 3-0 lead at half-time.

Mike Perrott gave Town a lifeline just after the hour mark but two more goals from the Bristolians all but killed off the tie.

Melksham were not going to go down without a fight and late goals from Luke Ballinger and Ricky Hulbert set up a tense finale but the home side had left themselves too much to do.

Although disappointed by his team’s exit from the national competition, boss Perrin was full of praise for their fighting spirit in the face of adversity.

“Football is small margins and I think we probably created more chances than them but they were clinical in front of goal and we made a few sloppy errors. You can’t give a side of the quality of Bristol Manor Farm a 3-0 lead,” said Perrin.

“In the second half, we gave it a right good go, we created chance after chance, and on another day, it could have been so much different.

“I was so proud of our second-half performance and the way the lads came back.

“Bristol Manor Farm are a very good team. They are very clinical and very ruthless and on behalf of Melksham Town, I hope they go on and win it now.

“I said before the game that I thought the winner would have a great chance of doing very well in the FA Vase and hopefully, with a bit of luck, they will be able to make it all the way to Wembley.

“There were eight goals but there could have been 88. Both sides just went for it and it was a great advert for the Toolstation League. There was no shortage of entertainment.”

Melksham, who are currently fourth in the table, return to league action this Saturday when they host Cadbury Heath.