Rylands Way, 9th October 2012

December 2006 was the last time Wootton Bassett Town had beaten local rivals Purton at Rylands Way. And with Bassett trailing by a single goal as their most recent meeting went into the final twenty minutes, that streak appeared set to continue. However, a quickfire two goal salvo - with strikes from Shaun Terry and Mark Barnes - turned the game on its head before an own goal sealed a 3-1 victory late on.

Purton, who at the start of the evening languished in 13th place following a torrid start, had led from early on and were playing confidently. Their goal exemplified this, Reece Gilliver finishing off a well crafted move in the tenth minute.

Dave Turner and his troops knew that a positive result would grant them an added cushion between themselves and the sides immediately below them in the Division One West table, with games still in hand.

But the Purton door refused - frustratingly - to be knocked down.

That was until the 71st minute when Terry steered home to restore parity. Moments later Mark Barnes, leading scorer in One West, added a further goal to his already impressive tally. He netted his sixteenth of the season, twelve of which have come in league action.

More importantly his strike forced the visitors to chase the game if they were to salvage something. But any hopes Chris Pethick's team had of obtaining a point or more were dashed when an own goal four minutes from time doubled Bassett's advantage.

Terry was to be controversially dismissed for an alleged elbow, supplying one dampener.

Yet with three points in the bag, coupled with a defeat for leaders Brimscombe and Thrupp at home against Tytherington Rocks, it wasn't a bad night. Oh, and not to be forgotten, Purton had paid a visit and were made to make the short journey home empty handed.

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