Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development secured a dramatic late victory against Frome Collegians to head back to the top of the Wiltshire League table.
Bassett now lead Pewsey Vale by two points and can go five clear with just three games to go with victory against Stratton Juniors on Wednesday.
But Bassett will be relieved to be in such a position after a tough test against Frome, who Steve Yeardley's side had defeated back in September following an impressive second half showing that saw them emerge 5-0 winners.
It was a much closer affair in the return match at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground.
Whilst the home side had much of the possession in the first half, they found an organised Frome side very difficult to break down.
Bassett finally made the break-through after 37 minutes though, Tyler Sheppard getting on the end of a Gio Wrona corner to make it 1-0.
Five minutes later the home side extended their lead. Nick Mason's powerful shot from just outside the box was superbly turned onto the upright of the goal by Frome 'keeper Ben Forrester but, unfortunately for him, the ball rebounded to Dale Richards who bundled home for his 31st of the season to make it 2-0 at the break.
The home side thought they had extended the lead ten minutes into the second half when Jon Beeden headed powerfully into the net but a flag from the assistant referee saw the goal disallowed. Shortly after Dale Richards went close to getting his second of the match with his powerful shot coming back off a post and the danger was cleared by the Frome defence.
Frome got themselves back into the game just after the hour mark, Barry Sandquest getting his head to a cross from the right, but the home 'keeper Simon Notman should have done better with the header, seeing the ball agonisingly go through his legs and into the net for 2-1.
The goal lifted Frome who started to have more of the possession. But it was Bassett who went close to restoring their two goal lead, Matt Bennett seeing his powerful shot come back off the crossbar.
Frome continued to probe away and were rewarded with a second when another error from Notman saw Max Biddescombe level matters up twenty minutes from time.
Frome were now in the ascendancy and captain Sandquest went close to giving them the lead for the first time in the match when his free kick from outside the box went inches wide of the near post.
However, there was to be late drama at the other end. With the game deep into injury time, some great skill down the right-hand side by Matt Bennett saw him put a tantalising cross into the box that was met on the volley by Jon Beeden and his effort flew into the net for 3-2.
There was still time for another great chance for Bassett to make it 4-2 when a ball over the top found Bennett clear of the defence but his fierce shot was well turned away by Forrester in the Frome goal to leave the final score 3-2.
Bassett had been pushed all the way by an organised Frome side who on another day could easily have left with a point.
But now they have the chance to put some breathing room between themselves and Pewsey as a thrilling title race approaches its climax.
Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 10th April 2022 at 09:53
