The following season, Neil broke into the first team and marked his full debut with a goal in the 3-0 defeat of Stourport Swifts at Butlin Road. Went on to start 38 consecutive games in the 02/03 season but suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament at the start of the 03/04 at Yate Town - an injury that required reconstructive surgery and ruled him out for the season.

Neil briefly returned in the 04/05 season to make six starts but after February 2005, he was then blighted by injury and had four knee operations, including a second cruciate rupture plus an ankle operation.

Melvin finally returned to first team action as a substitute in the 2-2 draw with Brackley in March 2009 after a four year absence from the teamsheet but in 09/10 the knee injury still limited Neil and he stopped playing in October 2009.