Fleet Town 1

Shortwood United 1

JOINT-BOSS Alex Sykes cut a frustrated figure as his play-off chasing side were forced to share the Southern League South and West Division spoils at Fleet Town, writes Jim Cunneen.

Sykes said: “We had chances, but we mainly huffed and puffed against a side I would normally expect to put away.

“We were lucky to be a goal up at half time to be honest.”

Shortwood will point at the fact that they hit the woodwork twice in the game, while Fleet will think about the two virtually open goals they missed and the simple fact is that a draw was the very least they deserved.

Earlier, Ross Langworthy shot narrowly wide after only two minutes, but Fleet responded when Jake Lee did well to divert a Jack White shot wide.

Fleet should have opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Lee under hit his back pass, Jack White rounded Tom King and crossed low, but Ben White somehow managed to scoop the ball over the empty net from six yards.

Wood then opened the scoring with a superb goal after 20 minutes. Nick Hancock hit the perfect diagonal ball to Josh Egan wide on the right, who cut in, beat two defenders, and unleashed a crashing drive across Ryan Pryce and into the far corner. Langworthy then forced Pryce into a good full- length save and sent a diving header wide.

Sub James Singh was desperately unlucky to see his curling shot come back off the post after 65 minutes. Fleet, however, levelled after 71 minutes. A ball in to the area was met by Miambo as King dived at his feet and referee Desborough blew for a penalty – lashed home by Davis.

Shortwood responded. Egan was inches wide with one shot and forced Pryce into a save with another and it was Fleet’s turn to feel the pressure. In the last minute, Egan shot from 25 yards and the ball dipped over Pryce, but cannoned back off the bar – leaving Shortwood frustrated.

SHORTWOOD: King, Rawlings, Humphreys, Thomas A, Lee, Hancock, Egan, Price, Langworthy (Lawrence – Forbes 85), Morford (Singh 59), Njoya (Thomas M 73).

Subs not used:Smith, Sykes.

Star Man: Josh Egan.

Shortwood travel to Bishop’s Cleeve on Tuesday.