SCREWFIX PREMIER DIVISION: MELKSHAM'S lack of consistency continued to haunt them as they suffered defeat at Bridgwater.

After having beaten high-fliers Brislington the previous weekend Melksham could not repeat the feat against their fifth-placed hosts. The visitors held out for the first hour before Bradley Peters opened the scoring and Shane Kingston settled the game with Bridgwater's second ten minutes later.

Melksham manager Nigel Tripp said: "It wasn't a particularly bad performance but without naming names two or three lads didn't play very well.

"Consistency is our problem and we can't allow for that. Simeon Allison was missing but apart from him we had the same side that beat Brislington."

The first half was reasonably even as Melksham created a couple of half-chances when Neil Thomas had two efforts blocked. Shane Kington was causing problems for the Melksham back-line but Dan Harvey did defend well. After the break the home side's pressure mounted as they gradually wore Melksham down.

Kingston fired just wide and a shot from Alex Stephens was fumbled by goalkeeper Gareth Evans before being hacked to safety.

Ben Kirk, Steve Sokol and Paul Heywood all had chances for Bridgwater before they broke the deadlock on the hour mark.

Peters curled home a 25-yard wind-assisted free-kick that seemed to deceive Evans on its way into the net.

Once Bridgwater had gone in front Melksham never really looked like coming back.

The second goal soon followed when the home side took advantage of some disorganised defending and Stephens' cross from the left was tapped in by an unmarked Kingston.

Tripp added: "Over the whole 90 minutes I have to admit I thought it was a fair result. But it shows how far we've come this season that we are disappointed to have lost the game."

On Saturday Melksham travel to face sixth-placed Exmouth. Jason Lunt is missing after limping out of the Bridgwater game with a knee injury.

Simeon Allison (ankle) was expected to miss last night's clash with Frome but should be back on Saturday. Keeper Craig Guthrie has yet to have the stitches removed from his gashed leg so Gareth Evans continues.

Melksham have signed striker Wayne Bailey from Trowbridge and District League side Broughton Gifford, he made his debut on Saturday.

Tripp said: "At the moment we are getting the groundwork done for next year. I am giving a few lads a chance now to see if they are up to it.''