MELKSHAM slipped to their third consecutive league defeat on Monday night despite a battling display against high-flying Welton Rovers at the Conigre.

Manager Kelvin Highmore refused to criticise his young squad, who acquitted themselves well but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.

Highmore said: "I felt we more than matched a side riding high in the table. We played some great stuff at times and we moved the ball well.

"We put them under immense pressure in the last 10 minutes but we just couldn't find a way through." Matt Minnis had Melksham's best chance when he chested the ball down and fired a left foot volley, which looked destined for the bottom corner until the Welton goalkeeper stuck out his right boot.

Skipper Simon Price also went close for the home side but his goal-bound strike was blocked by the resolute Welton defence.

A reflective Highmore said afterwards that his side were showing signs of improvement, despite the costly individual errors.

He said: "We seem to get punished for every little slip and yet we cannot take advantage of other mistakes by other teams. "It's frustrating because, if we stick together, we will have a very good team in two years' time. It's all about getting experience at this level."