MELKSHAM finished their league campaign with a home defeat against high-flyers Bideford but manager Nigel Tripp had reasons to be positive.

The result left the Tripp's side in 13th place in the table which he admitted exceeded their aim at the start of the season.

"This was always going to be a transitional season for us and we've been able to give a lot of youngsters experience in the first team,'' he said.

"I wish the new season was starting now because the players have bedded in well. The brief last summer was to stay up after we had lost nine or ten players. We've achieved that and got some youngsters coming through.''

Bideford took the lead on 20 minutes. Melksham goalkeeper Craig Guthrie failed to deal with a Bideford corner and the visitors' top scorer Mike Southgate tapped home from close range.

They doubled their lead with 36 minutes on the clock. After winning possession the visitors passed their way through the home defence and Liam Hapgood centred for Owen Pickard to tap into the net.

Tripp is now looking forward to the new season and hopes to bring in a couple of new faces. "Things are looking good on the sponsorship side,'' he said. "I'm hoping there will be some more money available and I'm aiming to add some more experienced players to the squad before the new season.''