MELKSHAM Town started a busy run of December fixtures in Southern League Division One South on a winning note with a classy 3-1 victory away at bottom side Barnstaple Town.

The victory is Melksham’s first in the league since September, although it makes it four games unbeaten in the competition after a run of three draws in a row throughout November.

Richard Fey’s side play three more times in the league prior to Christmas before entertaining local rivals – and current league leaders – Frome Town on Boxing Day.

They will, therefore, be looking to pick up another solid haul of points before starting 2020 with a trip to Paulton Rovers on New Year’s Day.

Luke Ballinger was the hero for Melksham away at Barnstaple, netting twice in the second half to secure all three points.

The visitors took the lead in north Devon inside a quarter-of-an-hour when defender Joe Romanski – on-loan from Swindon Town – broke the deadlock.

However, Barnstaple had pegged the score back to all-square at half-time as Manny Omrore equalised from the penalty spot 10 minutes before the interval.

Fey’s side were able to raise their game in the second period, though, and they got their noses back in front with 15 minutes to go when Ballinger struck the first of his brace.

Ballinger then made the points safe with his second goal of the afternoon in the closing stages to seal an impressive away-day win for Melksham.

The result lifted the Wiltshire side out of the bottom four in the table onto 14 points from as many league games, with three wins to their name.

Melksham return to action at home in the league for the first time since November 23 on Saturday when they welcome Mangotsfield United to the InfiLED Arena.