A STOPPAGE-TIME winner from Rob Francis dramatically kept Bideford on course for the Toolstation Western League title.

Substitute Francis struck from close range to secure a 3-2 win after Chris Brown's header came back off the post.

The victory — unlikely for long spells after another tentative display — was vital, particularly after championship rivals Willand Rovers won 2-0 at Calne Town.

It was an agonising afternoon for home supporters with Biddy still struggling to shrug off their poor form from the Easter weekend.

If the Good Friday defeat against Barnstaple Town and Monday's draw with Ilfracombe were nervy enough, the tension seemed to rise another notch this afternoon.

Despite taking a first-half lead through Ashley Yeoman, the Robins were rocked as Ryan Trowbridge and Nathaniel Auckland fired Melksham 2-1 ahead soon after the restart.

But a 63rd-minute own goal from Dan Jones hauled the home side level and defender Francis went forward to bundle in the winner.

Francis started the day on the bench, dropped after the Easter weekend while Matt Hockley came into the back-three alongside Brown and Darren Hawkings.

Although they had plenty of early pressure, Bideford lacked cutting edge with Yeoman and Barker both firing volleys off target.

Torquay United loanee Yeoman turned in the opening goal on 30 minutes when Hawkings headed down a corner from Ben Wood.

That should have spurred the league leaders onto better things yet they were punished for some awful defending.

Goalkeeper Ryan Draper denied Dan Lardner on the stroke of half-time and Wayne Thorne lashed the rebound wide.

It was a let-off and a warning of what was to come in the second half.

Draper lost the flight of Wayne Brown's corner, allowing Trowbridge to head the equaliser at the far post.

Moments later Chris Beasley played the ball behind the hesitant Hockley for Auckland to clip past Draper for a 2-1 advantage.

The lead lasted six minutes though, as Ben Wood bent in a freekick from the right wing and Jones could only head past his own goalkeeper.

Bideford threw men forward in search of a winner but their play lacked composure and there was an over reliance on the long-throws of Wood.

Finally though, the pressure was rewarded in the third minute of injury time.

Wood crossed from the left and Brown, now playing as an emergency centre-forward, sent a towering header against the post. Substitute Jamie Densham challenged for the rebound and Francis was perfectly placed for a tap-in.

With three games left, starting with Tuesday's trip to Radstock Town, the win keeps Bideford in control, although Willand can pull level on points by winning their four games in hand.

Bideford: Ryan Draper, Nick Barker, Ben Wood, Chris Brown, Darren Hawkings, Matt Hockley (Rob Francis 58), Ian Down (Clay Bond 76), Matt Andrew, Ellis Laight, Kevin Squire (Jamie Densham 72), Ashley Yeoman.

Melksham Town: Tom Drewitt, Lee Fielding, Gary Blackwood, Dan Harvey, Ryan Trowbridge, Chris Beasley, Simon Millard, Dan Jones, Nathaniel Auckland, Wayne Thorne (Francis Coleman 83) Daniel Lardner (Iain Carr 87). Sub not used: Gary Thorne.