Royal Wootton Bassett Town let slip a 2-0 lead as they were held to a frustrating draw away against relegation-threatened Lydney Town.

Sam Collier's side were in firm control of the match thanks to a Dan Grieve brace. But Bassett let their guard down, allowing the hosts to claw their way back onto level terms thanks to two goals in a four minute spell.

The result leaves Bassett five points behind Highworth Town with two games left to play (and with Highworth still holding a game in hand).

A guaranteed Hellenic League Premier Division place now seems highly unlikely to materialise, barring a Highworth collapse.

Furthermore the result gives Worcester Raiders and Pershore Town - both winners in their fixtures away at Malmesbury Victoria and Mangotsfield United respectively - renewed hope of snatching sixth place.

Bassett had led early on through Grieve as he produced a beautiful, deft lob.

And the visitors were largely in control of affairs for the remainder of the half, the best chance the hosts could muster coming when Archie Myatt crossed into the box and Jordan Sheen fired over from ten yards out.

Grieve then doubled Bassett's advantage shortly after the restart, steering home a precise effort from the edge of the area.

2-0 up, Bassett should really have seen the game out.

But they allowed a spirited Lydney side back into the match.

They should have had one back when Lucas Vaughan was unable to turn home after Michael Symons redirected a cross back across goal.

But Lydney soon pulled one back. Symons held the ball up well and teed up Sheen who squeezed a low shot home from just outside the box.

Minutes later the hosts were level as Tristan Murphy rose highest to connect with a Lee Smith corner and Declan Morley Lyne was on hand to stab a first time effort into the net from a couple yards out.

Lydney then came close to winning it but Dan Brabham kept out a Sheen header before Symons headed straight at the Bassett 'keeper.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 15th March 2025 at 23:29