MELKSHAM Town returned to winning ways with a ruthless second-half display in a 3-0 victory over Bridport to get back on track in the race for the title.

Darren Perrin’s league leaders were beaten 3-1 by Buckland Athletic in their last fixture and had to wait a fortnight to put that right.

There looked to be a bit of a hangover from that defeat in the early stages at the Conigre as the two sides played out a goalless first half.

But Melksham came out reinvigorated after the break and goals from Ryan Bennett, Gary Higdon and Dan Kovacs saw Bridport swept aside.

Boss Perrin said: “We are pleased to have got another three points on the board, and to have kept a clean sheet was very satisfying too.

“The first half was a bit of a mundane affair but in the second we were much the better side and thoroughly deserved to get the win.

“A few words were said at half-time but to be fair to the players, they responded in the same way they have done for the majority of the season.

“It’s great to respond after a defeat in your last game, no matter how long ago that may have been.”

Melksham now face a stiff test of the title credentials this weekend, with two games in three days.

They are away at Hallen on Saturday before playing host to Gillingham Town on Monday night.

“Next weekend is a big weekend for us and we are well aware of what we have to try to do. We just have to try to keep going as we have done all season,” added Perrin.

“It may be that with two games in three days, we have to rotate the squad a bit. Hopefully by next weekend we will have Steve Casey, Dan King, Omar Simpson and Alex Hillier all back fit.

“The games come thick and fast at this stage of the season and we know it can change very quickly, but at the moment we have got quite a healthy squad.”