WOOTTON Bassett Town Development manager Mark Varney thought his side were unlucky not to get more from their clash with high-flying Ludgershall Sports at Ballards Ash.

After falling behind to a fierce strike that Bassett keeper Luke Kuczinski got a glove on, mid-table Bassett managed a leveller before half-time as Carl Shepherd headed home a corner.

Varney’s men were made to pay for their profligacy as Ludgershall got a second-half winner. Even that had a touch of fortune as a corner was headed against the post, with the rebound falling to a grateful visiting forward to tap in.

Varney was loathe to criticise his side, who had to deal losing their captain Scott Large in the warm-up.

”It was a tight game if I’m honest,” said the Bassett Development boss.

“Their first goal was after some good build-up and a strong shot. If I was going to be picky, I would say it could have been poor defending from my lot.

“We created four of five really good chances in the first half where they had to clear the ball off the line or there was a scramble in the box.

“There was one where Lewis Petrie got down the line and John Magani connected with it. He probably hit it too well and it hit a defender and got cleared.

“I think a draw would have been fair. Luke made a couple of really good saves.

“I lost a player in the warm-up, the captain Scott Large, to injury and had to rejig the formation. His replacement, Ashley Chapman, did really well for me and was probably my man of the match.

“I’m annoyed because I don’t think we should have lost but there are plenty of positives.”

Elsewhere, there were thumping wins for Supermarine Sports and Wroughton, 5-2 over Devizes Town Reserves and 5-1 against Wilts Calne Town respectively.

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