PEWSEY Vale moved to within three points of the Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday after drawing for the second time in little more than a month with third placed Winterbourne United.

The home side, trailing Pewsey by five points at the start of play, knew anything other than a victory would virtually extinguish their promotion hopes and could have gone in front twice in the first half.

Craig Durnell rattled the Pewsey crossbar with a 30-yard strike early on, while visiting goalkeeper Paul Clark did well to keep out another effort moments later.

Pewsey had another let-off at the beginning of the second half when teenage forward Jack Pitcher became the second home player to hit the woodwork. It was the visitors' top scorer Craig Wall who eventually broke the deadlock, seizing his opportunity after a mix-up in the home defence to give Pewsey the lead.

Victory for Pewsey would have all but sewn up promotion, but their lead proved to be shortlived as Paul May headed home a Durnell free kick to earn his side a share of the spoils.

Winterbourne went closest to snatching the victory in the final minutes, and it took a fine save from Clark to deny the lively Pitcher.

The clash saw Pewsey make their fifth consecutive away trip and manager Don Rogers was satisfied with the outcome. He said: "We could have won, but it was better than Monday's performance at Letcombe. We've had five away games on the trot, won two and drawn three, and you can't argue with that. It was crucial we got something at the third placed team, although I don't think they will be anything next year. They looked an old side."