FOLLOWING a 2-0 defeat to Toolstation League Premier Division leaders Street at the weekend, Melksham Town manager Keiran Baggs believes promotion could be beyond his troops this season.

Only the top two teams will be promoted to the Southern League at the end of the season.

After last weekend’s results, Street are nwo 15 points clear of second-placed Bradford Town, while Melksham are a further five points behind their Wiltshire rivals down in fourth.

Goals from Josh Wadham and Jake Mawford consigned Melksham to their sixth defeat of the season and Baggs admits he and his players were left deflated afterwards.

“Street have won 24 games in a row now, and anyone who has played them has been brushed aside,” he said.

“Rightfully, they are going to go on and lift the title. I can’t see them losing another game this season.

“We had some good chances in the first half but we couldn’t convert them. If we had managed to score one of those, it might have been a different game.

“Being realistic, if we are going to get promoted, we will need to win every single game we have left.

“To do that at the end of the season is a big ask. It is in our hands, but I have probably conceded that second is out of reach for us now.

“The FA Vase run that we had was exceptional, but I think that took it’s toll on us a little bit.”

Baggs also announced the signing of Jon Davies, who joined the club over the weekend on a short-term deal after leaving Southern League Premier side Frome Town.

With suspensions and injuries piling up, Baggs says it was a sensible addition to his squad.

“There has been a situation at Frome where a few people have left,” he added.

“Jon is going to help us out and it keeps him playing football too.

“He he will be a great signing, but I think it will only be a short-term deal as he will be looking to step back up next season.

“He’s great to have in the changing room. He puts himself about a bit and will help the young lads too.

“The squad has been a little bit thin. Rob Brown is suspended for three games, and so is Dave Thompson, and Luke Ballinger has picked up an injury so he won’t play for the rest of the season.”

Melksham are due to travel to Wellington tonight and are also on the road on Saturday when they take on Bridgwater Town.