Royal Wootton Bassett Town conceded a pair of stoppage time goals as Jonny Aitkenhead's side suffered an agonising 2-1 defeat away against Slimbridge.

Bassett, who had led for the majority of the game courtesy of Ben Cleary's 20th minute goal, looked on course for a fifth consecutive win - and a significant coup against the promotion chasing Swans.

However, Jack W Smith salvaged an equaliser in the 92nd minute before an unfortunate Jack Coward own goal in the fifth minute of added time sealed an important, yet ultimately lucky three points for Slimbridge.

While devastated by the nature of their defeat, Bassett can take great credit from an otherwise excellent performance against their high-flying hosts that deserved some form of reward.

Indeed it was an evenly contested match with little between the teams.

Bassett had arguably the better of the early exchanges, and struck the woodwork twelve minutes in. Slimbridge 'keeper Steve Sarkodie flapped at a curling TJ Bohane effort, with the ball dropping for Rudi Hopkins who attempted to lift a deft lob into the net that clipped the crossbar.

The visitors were soon ahead though. Bohane flicked on a throw in on the edge of the area and the ball fell to Cleary who lashed in on the turn with a powerful 12 yard drive.

The Swans reacted to going behind though and twice came close before the interval as Smith struck off target after a corner fell to him and Ollie Barnes shot narrowly wide.

Clear opportunities were a less common occurrence for the majority of the second period as both defences snuffed out any danger.

But as the game entered the closing stages, Bassett had a pair of chances to double their lead, but couldn't find a way past Sarkodie to kill off the game.

Slimbridge were therefore still in the match - and Smith snapped up the opportunity to pull his side level when another corner fell to him in the box and he fired low into right corner of the net.

That was harsh on Bassett. But what came next was even crueler. Smith helped on a ball lumped forward from deep which seemed set to run out of play. But an outstretched Jacob Rodgers somehow managed to keep the ball in play and his cut back from the byline struck Coward on the chest and spun over the line.

After being moments away from a fifth consecutive win - and an upset over a Slimbridge side who are chasing the title, Bassett were beaten.

There's little time to dwell on defeat though, with Bassett having the opportunity to pick themselves up away at Cinderford Town on Saturday.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 4th March 2026 at 08:01