MELKSHAM Town progressed to the FA Trophy first qualifying round following a 2-0 victory at home to Wantage Town on Saturday.

After a goalless first half had been played out at the InfiLED Arena, Richard Fey’s home side found themselves in front shortly before the hour mark when a Wantage defender inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

Less than 10 minutes later, Phil Ormrod doubled the hosts’ lead and Melksham confidently saw out the remainder of the contest to seal their place in the hat for the first qualifying round.

Victory was just Melksham’s third of the season in all competitions, and they have been afforded the opportunity to increase that tally in the next round when they host divisional rivals Basingstoke Town on October 26.

Fey’s troops return to league action on Saturday and continue their quest for points in Southern League Division One South when travelling to Hampshire to take on Basingstoke Town a week prior to their Trophy clash.

The game will be played at Winchester City’s Simplyheath City Ground, though, as Basingstoke are still making ground improvements to The Camrose.