There was little sign of the collapse to come in the opening exchanges and a good early chance fell for Kyle Tooze but his shot was stopped by Joel Manning in the host's goal. Rovers had looked bright in those opening moments but the high spirits didn't last long as as a poor clearance from a Melksham shot fell back to the feet of Robbie James who easily swept the ball into the net in the 6th minute.

After losing an early goal to Exmouth last week and responding well, it didn't feel like the game was lost. In fact, just seconds later, Dan Cottle flashed a shot just wide of the Melksham goal. But again, any momentum was immediately cut short when Melksham hit their second in the 9th minute. There was more than a touch of luck about this one though as a free-kick, taken by Sam Hendy deep and wide out on the left, seemed to be heading for the penalty spot area but the ball caught the strong wind and turned towards the goal catching out Frankie Phillips. I'm sure Hendy will claim he meant it!

Rovers tried to respond again and forced a corner which was easily cleared. But their play began to become laboured whilst Melksham looked dangerous in every single forward move they made. The third came in the 15th minute as a ball played through to Ben Bament split the defence and he comfortably knocked it past Phillips into the bottom corner.

The fourth came in the 26th minute, when from another free kick, the ball was squared across the Rovers box for Jaiden Pearce to slot in. The game was effectively over but Rovers continued to try and work themselves any hint of an opening. But their passing had become more scrappy and often didn't find the target. A late free kick on the edge of the box didn't trouble the goal and the half ended with Melksham well and truly dominant.

Much like the first half, Rovers seemed to begin the second half looking positive. Dan McBeam, on for Ed Butcher, played in Kyle Tooze in the 50th minute but his shot was well over the bar. In the 54 minute, Josh Crispin made way for new signing Jamarni Langlais who also looked lively.

Defensively, Rovers seemed to tighten a little and restricted Melksham to longer range shots; although without doubt some of that will naturally come down to having the luxury of a four goal lead.

But, the hosts still looked the more likely to add to their total. It came in the 70th minute when a sweet shot by Albie Hopkins beat Phillips in the Rovers goal. The visitors continued to toil but the play was was often fractured and easily broken up. They spent much of the rest of the game chasing the ball pulling the team out of shape for those times when they eventually won a tackle.

A late red card for Martin Lenihan will have done little to lift the mood around the team but its manner was slightly frustrating. His first card for a slightly over zealous tackle was justified. However his second was slightly more bizarre. A cross from the right eluded the whole of the Rovers attack and as the ball made its way out of play on the left, Lenihan kicked out at the ball. To the letter of the law, you could argue he kicked the ball away. However, it actually bounced off the clubhouse and immediately came straight back to him; not holding up play at all. In fact, why would he want to hold up play? However, the referee saw it differently and brandished the second yellow.

A couple of half chances for both teams ended off the half which was short of the spectacle of the first. Melksham were worthy winners of the match and Rovers must do better in their crucial Boxing Day clash with Yate Town at The Winterfield Stadium. Kick-off 1pm.