MELKSHAM Town are now fourth from bottom of the Screwfix Premier Division after being outplayed at Keynsham on Wednesday night.

The Somerset side begun the game one place and one point behind Nigel Tripp's men, but their greater desire saw them run out comfortable winners.

Although Melksham battled well to reach the interval on level terms they had no answer to Keynsham's second half onslaught. Indeed but for two excellent reflex saves from Gareth Evans the home side's victory could have turned into a rout.

Melksham gave a debut to Bradford Town goal machine Tom Pang, but despite showing some good touches he was unable to add to Gary Banks' first half strike. Although at times Melksham looked assured on the ball as they built from the back through skipper Brian Kayll they were prone to too many lapses in concentration.

Keynsham began the game the stronger and could well have been 2-0 up inside the opening 10 minutes.

Midfielder Mickey Adams had already fired one shot narrowly wide when he stole into the box for a fifth minute corner.

The ball was played short to striker Peter Sheppard whose curling cross gave Adams an unmarked header just five yards out. He made no mistake as Keynsham continued to press hard.

Keynsham hardly allowed the visitors a sniff at goal for the first 20 minutes, but this all changed when striker Banks was put through in the inside right channel.

His first shot was well saved by Richard Fey, but Banks was first to the rebound, forcing the ball home via a defender's leg.

On 40 minutes Kevin Banks hit the bar with a sweet left foot strike before Keynsham winger Jason Woods' stinging volley brought the best out of Evans at the other end.

Both sides traded blows after the break with Sheppard and Pang coming close, but some hesitant Melksham defending saw them hit hard just before the hour mark. A diagonal ball seemed to be heading safely back to Evans, but Woods nipped in between him and his defence to prod home.

Melksham did not learn their lesson however and were punished again on 68 minutes. Woods robbed his opposite number Steve Pegler before his powerful run and cross was turned in by Eddie Howells.

The visitors brought on Owen Bryan and John Freegard to bolster their attack, but were still susceptible on the counter. Pegler should have done better with a Bryan cross while Evans's alert stop denied Sheppard a deserved goal for Keynsham.