A late equaliser denied Royal Wootton Bassett Town victory away against Longlevens, but the 1-1 draw ensured their two month run in search of a Hellenic League Premier Division point finally came to an end.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town's hapless run of Hellenic League Premier Division form finally came to end as a 1-1 draw with Longlevens saw Sam Collier's side claim their first point since a mid-December victory over Ascot United.

And it could well have been all three points as Adam Corcoran steered in from a corner midway through the second half. However, Bassett eventually had to settle for a share of the spoils as Longlevens substitute Myron Turner popped up with an equaliser in the game's penultimate minute.

While there will be some level of disappointment not to have seen out the game, Bassett's performance was one they can be pleased with, especially in light of the midweek debacle that saw them humbled 4-0 at the hands of local rivals Fairford Town.

It seemed that Collier got the response he demanded from his players, who were resolute throughout the match and, importantly, kept their shape to limit the number of opportunities their hosts were able to create.

Indeed, chances were at a premium for both teams, particularly in a first half which saw only shot on target registered. That fell to Bassett's Gio Wrona, whose shot forced a save out of home custodian Ash Wintle.

Prior to that, Longlevens did have a pair of decent openings, but a lack of composure in front of goal saw both Adam Phillips and Craig Martin blaze over the bar.

Bassett were equally guilty of rushing their efforts too, with an unmarked Ryan Withers heading wide at the far post when the youngster should really have done better.

The second half was rather slow to get going, the best chance of its early stages coming when Wintle's long goal kick set free Dave Merrick, whose shot proved to be wayward. Shortly after an overhead kick from Brad Martin whistled past the post.

Finally though Bassett were able to find a breakthrough. Play was recycled after the hosts were only able to half clear from a corner, and Corcoran was able to blast a shot beyond Wintle from close range.

And ten minutes later the game could have been over, but Carl Evans shot narrowly off target after shaking off the attentions of Luke Kavanagh.

Having survived that scare, the hosts proceeded to place the Bassett goal under siege in search of a late leveller.

Much to Bassett's chagrin, it arrived with less than a minute to go.

Having seen a shot blocked moments earlier, Turner ended up reacting quickest when Dan Lawrence was only able to parry a Shaun O'Connor strike, with the substitute chesting down before firing into the roof of the net.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 18th February 2018 at 21:26