Corinium Stadium, 25th February 2015

The point earned in a 1-1 draw with local rivals Shrivenham may have moved Wootton Bassett Town up two places in the Hellenic League Premier Division table. However, for Bassett the feeling will no doubt be of an opportunity missed.

Facing a Shrivenham side adrift one place off the bottom of the table, it was a game Paul Braithwaite's team should, on paper, have been winning.

It would have been an important victory too. Not only would three points have preserved Bassett's advantage over chasers Brimscombe and Thrupp and Abingdon United, but it would also have lifted them a pair of points in front of Holyport and Milton United, the two sides who did drop thanks to the result at the Corinium Stadium.

Yet their slip in the standing is only by virtue of Bassett's better goal difference compared to the former and goals scored record compared to the latter.

Bassett made the best of starts against their visitors, taking the lead after six minutes as Steve Yeardley headed down a James Skinner cross to Nathan Gambling, who struck home with a half volley.

However Shrivenham got back on level terms after half an hour courtesy of an own goal after Luke Kuczynski attempted to punch clear.

For the rest of the evening, it was Shrivenham who looked the likelier to take all three points, though fortunately Bassett held on to avoid what would have been a dangerous defeat.

One point - particularly a point that improves league position - is definitely better than none. But this was a chance to help smoothen the ride for the rest of the season gone begging.

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:39