PREMIER Division champions Bideford kept their 100 per cent record on Saturday, but Melksham made them fight all the way for it.
Bideford had to wait until seven minutes from time for the winning goal.
A long, diagonal ball from young substitute Ben Rowe found Shane Powell on the right.
He regained possession from a tackle and found Robert Gough, whose powerful header back across goal beat keeper David Hunt. Bideford's strikers were kept in check for most of a scrappy game.
Melksham manager Robbie Lardner was delighted with his team's performance.
"We were excellent, particularly in the first half, when we looked like the champions and Bideford the lesser side.
"We created several good chances and in the end it was a case of mixed feelings: delighted with the performance, but disappointed with the result."
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