Jonny Aitkenhead got the response he wanted from his Royal Wootton Bassett Town side following last week's heavy defeat away against Worcester Raiders.

But, while putting in a very impressive performance on another trip to Worcestershire - this time to take on Pershore Town, Bassett were forced to settle for a single point after conceding an agonising late equaliser.

Bassett had seemed set for their first away victory of the season after leading for most of the match.

Leading scorer Ben Cleary was the player who put the visitors in front on twenty minutes. Using his strength to get in behind the home defence, he raced onto Ed Taylor's perfectly weigted ball over the top before beating Joe Cunneen in the Pershore goal with a left foot finish.

Bassett were deserving of their lead - and they came desperately close to doubling their advantage on the hour mark when the always lively Marcel Lewis fired just wide of the left hand post with Cunneen beaten.

While Pershore probed, it seemed as though a second goal was not fully necessary for Bassett as their defence held firm.

However, with five minutes to go Pershore pulled level. A quick break eventually saw the ball fed to Calum Harper in the right channel. And, from a tight angle, he got the better of Lewis Clark, firing inside the near post with a powerful drive 15 yard drive that the Bassett 'keeper will feel he could have dealt with better.

That restored parity and ultimately forced a share of the spoils.

Results elsewhere do mean Bassett slip into the bottom two. But this was a performance and outcome that were needed a week on from a heavy reverse.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 26th October 2025 at 06:01