MELKSHAM Town boss Robbie Lardner blasted his players for a lack of professionalism after his side dropped three Premier Division points at improving Bridgwater Town.

Lardner, who arrived at Fairfax Park just half an hour before kick-off after his car broke down, felt some of his players had over-indulged in the festive spirit the night before the clash and was forced to reshuffle the pack.

He said: "It was a bad day at the office for us, but there were a few circumstances. I didn't get there until late and we didn't start very well.

"I also felt one or two of the players had turned up in no fit state to play after the night before and had to change the side. I went there with a side in mind and it is always difficult when you are not at full-strength.

"The players know who they are and certainly found out what I think about it in the dressing room."

Bridgwater's Chris Young scored the first of his hat-trick on 20 minutes after dribbling round visiting goalkeeper Darren Chitty and scored from the spot 11 minutes later after being fouled.

Frankie Coleman pulled a goal back for Melksham following a goalmouth melee and Jeremy Christopher squandered a great chance to equalise before the break when Kevin Hurd saved his penalty.

Young completed his first senior treble six minutes into the second half after good work from Ryan Trudgian.

Melksham also lost Jason Lunt with a cut above the eye.

Said Lardner: "We were awful for the first 20 or 25 minutes and deserved to be a couple of goals down. Bridgwater aren't a good side, but we ran out of ideas in the second half. If we had gone in at 2-2, then I think we might have gone on to win the game."