Bassett Road, 2nd March 2013

Wootton Bassett Town will be toasting the fact that style points are not awarded in football after their extremely tough 2-1 victory away against struggling Letcombe. Both the visitors' goals came courtesy of Matt Bown from the penalty spot, with the all-important second coming in the game's final minute.

Life may have been easier had Dave Turner's team not been forced to play the majority of the second half with just ten men after Richie Saunders saw red for a reckless lunge. His dismissal added to the manager's selection complications as Shaun Carter had pulled up in the warm up, leaving Bassett with just two substitutions, one of which was used before half time when Tom Dingle left the field through injury to be replaced by assistant manager Andy Brien.

Letcombe appeared as though they would take the game deadlocked into the break, but they were dealt a blow when Bassett were awarded a penalty in the 44th minute, which the ever reliable Bown dispatched.

The home side were quickly given a numerical boost after the restart though and made that advantage pay when they equalised on 65 minutes through George Thatcher.

A shock point seemed set to be theirs. But Mark Barnes won another spot kick and his teammate – unperturbed, despite conventional wisdom stating no player should take a second penalty in the same game - delivered again to snatch all three points.

How vital that late goal may prove to be too. For the second consecutive week Tytherington Rocks came a cropper at home, increasing the points gap between the two sides to 16 points. Fairford Town remain third and continued their hot form, but Bassett need just five more points to guarantee they finish above their near neighbours.

It just goes to show how vital a slice of good fortune when you're not at your best can really be.

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