Kilkenny Lane, 3rd March 2012

A brace from utility man James Blake spared Wootton Bassett Town from being victims of an upset as his goals ensured Dave Turner's side rescued a point against this year's bogey team Carterton.

Carterton entered the day third from bottom (and would drop a place despite earning just their 21st point of the season). Yet Bassett once again laboured against a team that have posed countless problems for the Rylands Way outfit this season. In the Challenge Cup Bassett overturned a 3-2 deficit in second half stoppage time to somehow win 4-3, while a late Matt Bown free kick rescued a point in the first league encounter after Carterton had come from behind to take a 2-1 lead with minutes remaining.

With this in mind, there was no way Bassett were going to underestimate their Oxfordshire foes. Yet this was still a game that, using the league table as evidence, should have been a win.

Blake put the visitors in front two minutes before half time, but Carterton struck back shortly after the restart when George Seacole found the back of the net. Bassett were back in front on the hour, but were the victims of their own downfall on 72 minutes when an own goal once again levelled the scores.

After only being able to secure a draw, Bassett, still sixth, fell further behind in the race for a top five finish - Turner's stated aim now that promotion seems improbable. Despite still possessing a game in hand over the four teams immediately above them in the table, fifth place Brimscombe and Thrupp are now five points ahead. And with eight games remaining bridging that gap is going to be a big ask.

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:38