Both sides finished with just nine players as Exmouth Town were defeated 1-0 by Melksham in a feisty encounter at the Complete Infrastructure Stadium.

Elliot Haffenden’s 100th minute header secured a vital three points for the visitors in their bid to avoid relegation from the Southern League Division One South.

Tom Bath was a threat for Town in what was a tight first half. He had various half-chances though could not convert with the best opportunity being created following some fine feet by Aarron Denny.

Melksham’s best opportunity of the first half was denied by defender Josh Cann. He gratefully cleared the visitor’s opportunity off the line.

As ever, Sam Morcom’s deliveries were a threatening force, although, the left back found himself in hot water at the end of the first half.

Following a poor tackle, he earnt himself a yellow card, though the vocal Melksham backline were adamant he should have received a harsher punishment.

It was level and goalless at the break. However, if the first half was somewhat short on action, the second certainly made up for it.

Matt Wright was the first to receive a card for Town in the second half. He instigated a ruckus in the opposition dugout to earn himself a yellow.

Just 5 minutes later and just before the hour mark, Ollie Knowles saw yellow for comments made from the home dugout.

Shortly after Wright was the first to get his marching orders following a late tackle that earnt him a second yellow.

Melksham captain Mark Cooper then received a straight red card after committing a professional foul on a marauding Ben Steer on the 79th minute.

Seven minutes later Morcom was the third player to see red. His late tackle was adjudged to be a second yellow.

The final card was given just one minute later in the 87th minute. Melksham’s Owen Howe was sent to the changing rooms for a flailing elbow.

Naturally, the game then opened up with space for both sides to create chances.

Although, it was not until the tenth minute of additional time that the stalemate would be broken. Haffenden excellently headed home for the visitors from a well taken Melksham corner.

The final whistle blew with Town’s keeper Aaron Dearing in the opposition box. The home side threw everything forward in the game’s final moments though they could not find an equaliser.

Town travel away next Saturday to face an in-form Malvern Town side.

Line-Up: Dearing, Cann, Belsten, Morcom, Edwards, Landricombe, Shipton, Slater (Denny, 16), Griffith (Steer, 62), Bath (Cunningham, 90), Wright.

Subs Not Used: Shore, Knowles.

Match Report by Tommy Jenkins