THERE was no fairytale ending for second division Heytesbury in their bid to lift this season’s A M Print & Cop-sponsored A&B Cup at Westbury United’s Meadow Lane ground on Tuesday evening.

The villagers, who had won 14 on the trot going into the final, including a semi-final victory over first division leaders Freshford United, were beaten 3-1 by Melksham Town A.

Melksham were on top from the very first whistle and only a fine covering tackle from Kyle Edwards denied Eddie Swain an opener on seven minutes.

Ten minutes later, Melksham got the goal their efforts deserved, Sean Fordham holding off a challenge and breaking free to fire Dave Jenkins' side ahead.

Melksham doubled their advantage on 36 minutes, Jordan Kirk heading home Fordham’s perfectly-placed free kick.

Heytesbury’s best chance of the half fell to Jamie Howse, who poked his effort wide on the target on the stroke of half-time.

The villagers made a much better start to the second half and were thrown a lifeline on 52 minutes when Melksham defender Damian Donaghue needlessly pushed Craig Sheppard in the area and Sheppard confidently tucked away the resulting penalty to reduce the arrears.

A few minutes later they went close to restoring parity, but Daniel Dicks dragged his effort just wide of the target.

On 62 minutes, Heytesbury keeper Sam Spratt did well to hold onto Dan Broom’s fiercely-struck free kick, however three minutes later, the stopper misjudged another Broom free kick and Paul Gittins was on hand to turn the ball home to hand Melksham back their two-goal cushion.

Spratt brilliantly turned a Fordham free kick out for a corner on 71 minutes and what was already a tough ask for Heytesbury was made even harder when Sheppard saw red on 76 minutes after picking up a second booking of the night.

Melksham’s captain Jordan Kirk received the Kevin Mounty Memorial and the man of the match award from league president Ian Hibberd, who also presented both teams and match officials their trophies on behalf of cup sponsors A M Print & Copy.