DEPLETED Melksham put in a sterling performance at Barnstaple to pick up a valuable point.

Barnstaple's youthful side looked dangerous and took the lead through teenager Rob Guppy. But Melksham hit back in the second half with a Steve Peglar goal to earn a draw.

Manager Nigel Tripp was satisfied with the result but felt his under-strength team could have gone on to win the game. "To be honest I'm happy because we had a depleted side," he said. "Brian Kyall, John Freegard, Steve Casey, Gareth Evans and Gordon Smith were all out.

"But we played really well considering. Jason Grubb came in from the reserves and Dan Harvey and Rich McCrum made their debuts. The whole side did really well. It was pleasing but we could have won the game."

It was Barnstaple's new striker Guppy who caused Melksham the most problems. The 18-year-old, who was recently released by Plymouth Argyle, pounced as early as the third minute to give Barnstaple the lead.

He was in the right place at the right time when a long ball from goalkeeper John Vaughan was headed onto him by teenage midfielder Aaron Harper-Penman.

Guppy's first effort was saved by Melksham's reserve goalkeeper Jason Grubb but the striker reacted quickest to head in the rebound.

Barnstaple were denied a second goal when Kevin Squire found himself clean through with only Grubb to beat but he was flagged offside by the referee's assistant. The home side had penalty claims waved away following an alleged trip on Craig Holman before Melksham snatched a share of the spoils. A mistake from Vaughan when failing to clear a through-ball led to the away side grabbing an equaliser courtesy of Steve Peglar. Barnstaple pushed for a winner but Melksham held out.

Melksham, who were due to travel to Keynsham last night, entertain second in the table Brislington on Saturday.

Some of Melksham's absentees should be available for selection again this weekend. Goalkeeper Evans was expected to return on Wednesday night while Kyall is available and Casey is expected to shake off a bout of flu.