MELKSHAM’s losing run of games extended to seven on Monday night as the the home side failed to adjust to the poor conditions and an their organised opposition.

Manager Wayne Thorne gave starts to influential centre back Jamie Cheeseman and tricky winger Simeon Allison, who are both dual-registered with Southern League side Frome Town.

The teams had to contend with gusty winds and a constant barrage of rain but it was the visitors who gathered their composure the quickest and took the lead on 13 minutes.

After some smooth interplay in the midfield, the ball fell to Tom Collett who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards past the impressive Tom Drewitt.

Hallen continued to impose their will without adding to the scoreline in the first half.

Thorne’s half-time appeared to inspire his side and they equalised minutes after the restart when Danny Jones poked home after the visiting keeper flapped at a cross, but they were soon behind again on 51 minutes after a calamitous piece of defending.

When a Hallen free kick was aimed into the box, the entire back line pushed forward to play the offside trap, apart from Cheeseman on his first game for the club, who seemed unaware of their intentions and played on four forwards, before Ben Wiltshire buried a shot past Drewitt. Hallen got their third five minutes later Town failed to clear their lines and Tony Beecham showed impressive skill to chip Drewitt from 20 yards out.

Thorne said: “We played some good stuff its just the confidence at the minute. We’ve earned the right to get back into the game, we’ve equalised and they’ve scored their second and you could just the lads reaction, the body language, just zapping out of them.”

Melksham host Ilfracombe Town on Saturday.