FORMER Melksham Town favourites returned to haunt their old club on Saturday as Paulton took a giant step towards the Screwfix Premier League title.

With Bideford drawing at Devon rivals Barnstaple the previous day Paulton, managed by former Melksham manager Darren Perrin, knew a win would put them firmly in the driving seat.

Ex Melksham striker Andy Sandell created goals for Graham Colbourne and Dan Cleverly in the first 20 minutes before another old Town player Matthew Bown came off the bench to score the third on the stroke of half time to give the visitors a seven point lead at the top of the table.

Early Paulton pressure paid off on five minutes when Sandell's free kick from the right found top scorer Colbourne to head home from six yards.

Another set piece from Sandell led to a second goal on 18 minutes when his cross was headed into the net by Cleverly. An ankle injury saw Sandell replaced by Bown.

The striker took advantage of a mix up between Adrian Stagg and goalkeeper Ali Wicks to head home his side's third goal on 45 minutes.

For the remainder of the match, Paulton cruised to victory although in a rare attack

Melksham skipper Dean Ranger nearly scored when his header forced a good save from keeper John Rendell.

This weekend Melksham entertain bottom of the table Elmore and manager Nigel Tripp is looking to blood some of the club's youngsters.

"Against Elmore I will be looking to throw in some of the youngsters so they can attain first team action," said Tripp. "We don't have anything left to play for now except pride so it will be a good chance for the younger lads to gain some experience.

"Now everything is focussed on looking towards next season and this will be part of that.

"Hopefully we can learn from this season and then start next year with a bang and hopefully go on to have a good season."

Two of the youngsters who are set to be given a chance to shine are 17-year-old right-winger Matt Taylor and 16-year-old Domm Khanphong who plays wide on the left flank.

Tripp added: "It will be good for them to get a chance in the first team but our side for the whole season has been very young anyway.

"Dan Harvey in defence is only 17 and Rich McCrum in midfield is the same age and they have both been regulars."

Tripp does not face too many injury concerns going into the Elmore game. Jason Lunt (knee) Simeon Allison (ankle) are the only players likely to be unavailable.