KELVIN Highmore has accepted the blame for Saturday's loss to Bitton after telling his players they were already safe from relegation.

Highmore read last week that only one team will be relegated from the Premier Division this season and is confident that basement side Backwell are too many points adrift.

The Melksham chief told his players to enjoy themselves against Bitton on Saturday, but it was the visitors who left the Conigre with a smile on their face after the final whistle.

Highmore said: "I have to take some of the blame myself. I put my foot in it by telling the lads they were safe from relegation and they switched off a little.

"I don't know whether some of them had one eye on Tuesday's Wilts Senior Cup semi-final.

"It's important now that we get our focus back, so I have set the players a minimum target of 40 league points.

"The lads are playing for pride and for their places next season."

Melksham have nine games in which to register the eight extra points Highmore has demanded and the manager is confident they can achieve their goal.

He said: "It's been a hard season but I think it makes you better and stronger as a person. I've been in this situation before at previous clubs, so I know what we're up against.

"But we have a good group of young players here. On our day we can compete with anyone."

Melksham matched Bitton for most of Saturday's game but were handed a lesson in finishing by their Gloucestershire rivals.

There was a touch of fortune about Bitton's opening goal after 15 minutes when the linesman ruled a deflected shot had crossed the goalline, to the fury of the Melksham players.

Bitton scored twice more in the second half as their strikers were given the freedom of the Conigre pitch to finish past Scott Windle.

Matt Minnis grabbed a late consolation goal for Melksham with five minutes left as the hosts ran out of time.