SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: MELKSHAM Town bounced back from Saturday's disappointment with a victory in a game described as 'ugly' by manager Robbie Lardner.

The player-boss missed the clash with a shoulder injury as both sides blooded a host of youngsters in a game of few goalscoring opportunities at The Conigre.

Matty Messenger took his league tally for the season to 12 with a goal in each half, before 18-year-old midfielder Kevin Banks ensured a tense finale with a spectacular own goal late on.

Lardner said: "As a spectacle it was no glamour match. It was quite ugly, in fact.

"They sent up a very, very young side, while I played a few of our youngsters. We set out at the start of the game to get the three points and we did that, so I've got to be pleased."

Lardner drew plenty of positives from the performances of some of the younger members of his squad, with six of the players on duty under the age of 20.

He said: "They will all play a good standard of football one day and it was pleasing to see so many under the age of 20 playing for Melksham Town.

"They worked ever so hard and I was pleased with them, although we have played better and lost games this season."

Melksham would do local rivals Westbury a favour with victory at relegation-haunted Welton Rovers tomorrow and also make the short trip to Devizes Town on Easter Monday.