Bassett held after late equaliser

Royal Wootton Bassett Town conceded a late equaliser as they were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw away at South West Regional Women's Football League Division One North basement dwellers Downend Flyers.

The result sees Adam Wood's side slip to fifth in the table as they lost key ground in the battle for second spot behind runaway leaders Gloucester City.

Having put six goals past Downend when the teams met earlier in the season, this time Bassett lacked the required clinical edge in front of goals. That allowed their hosts to stay in the game - and snatch a late leveller that came against the run of play.

Downend had taken an early lead when Grace Smith beat Rosie Jones to the ball and coolly slotted in after rounding Millie Powell.

But Bassett quickly restored parity. Maddy Elliott did well to keep the ball in play near the byline and cut back into the box. Downend were then unable to clear with Caitlin Brooks taking advantage as she fired in from close range.

And the visitors were to be ahead before the break. Elliott had been denied by a fine save midway through the half. However she made no mistake as the half time whistle neared, heading in at the far post from a Hannah Gulliver corner.

Bassett then enjoyed the better of proceedings when play resumes, but a crucial third goal proved elusive.

Gulliver and Emma Sykes both saw shots well saved. Meanwhile, after Smith struck narrowly wide at the other end, Gulliver saw a cross-cum-shot hit the post and Kat Bach saw a tame effort go straight at the 'keeper's when well placed.

Those missed opportunities meant Downend were still in the game. And they fully equalised with eight minutes to go as Emily Petteford fired in from range.

Downend - who had battled hard all afternoon - came close to a winner too as, shortly after making it 2-2, Brooke Moore crashed an effort against the crossbar.