KIERAN Baggs hailed Melksham Town’s start to the new season as “as good as it could have been” after they stretched their unbeaten run to a fifth game on Monday.

Melksham made it seven points from three games in Southern League Division One South with a 1-1 draw at home to Larkhall Athletic.

Two days earlier, Town had reached the first qualifying round of the FA Cup after edging out divisional rivals Blackfield & Langley 1-0 at the infiLED Arena.

Melksham have the small matter of a trip to Winchester City up next this weekend to take on a side with three wins from three league games, but Baggs says his side have nothing to fear after making such a swift transition following last season’s promotion from the Toolstation League Premier Division.

“I sat down with the chairman (Darren Perrin) after the game on Monday to have a debrief on how we have started the season, and we are both absolutely delighted,” said Baggs.

“To have picked up two wins and a draw from three league games and still be in the FA Cup, I think that’s about as good as it could have been for a club like us.

“We have got a tough game next against Winchester and if we play at anything other than our very top level then we will get beaten.

“But as a newly-promoted side, it is always hard to gauge how long you can keep your momentum going and we will look to carry on riding this crest of a wave.

“We will go to Winchester looking to cause an upset and ruffle a few feathers and see where that takes us.”

Lee Davidson fired Melksham to their cup success on Saturday, although the league draw against Larkhall was much harder earned.

Jon Davies snatched Town a point in stoppage time after George King had opened the scoring for the visitors.

Baggs said: “We were definitely worthy of a point based on possession and chances created.

“Larkhall are a strong, physical side and I think we got drawn into that battle.

“But one thing I will say about this side is that they don’t know when they are beaten. They kept going and got their just rewards with an equaliser at the end of the game.”

Melksham have also discovered their next opponents in the FA Cup and will host Southern League Premier Division South side Merthyr Town on September 8.

“Merthyr are a very good side at his level. They have been in the Southern League for a number of years,” said Baggs,

“They are the division above so we will be massive underdogs, but we’re at home and we don’t fear anyone.

“I know the people of Melksham will get behind us and hopefully we can have another memorable day at the infiLED Arena.”