MELKSHAM failed to make the most of their domination of the play in the second half and Keynsham made them pay by scoring a late winner.

It was the visitors who took the lead in the first half but Nigel Tripp's side fought back and equalised through substitute John Freegard after the break.

They had the majority of possession after that but did not look like scoring and Keynsham notched a late winner to steal the points. Despite the result Tripp took satisfaction from the improved performance turned in by his players.

"It was a disappointing result but performance-wise it was better than the Devizes game," he said. "On Boxing Day we were poor even though we won buy on Sat everyone stuck to task well.

"Anyone watching the game would have said a draw was a fair result at the least. We had all the play couldn't score. Looking back to before the Devizes game I would have taken a draw in both matches so really we are a point ahead of what I had hoped for.

"I was quite disappointed with the way we played on Boxing Day but it was pleasing this time and people worked harder. If we keep playing like that we will do alright I think."

On Saturday Melksham travel to third placed Bridgwater. Tripp said: "It will be hard down there because they are a good side and it could go either way. If we focus and perform like we did against Keynsham we should be able to win."

Gary Banks will be available after shaking off a groin knock and John Freegard maybe named in the starting line-up after scoring on Saturday.

But Steve Casey (groin) and Jason Lunt (foot) are both still out and reserve goalkeeper Dave Hunt has joined Calne Town.