WOOTTON Bassett Town manager Paul Braithwaite was left ruing points dropped despite a good performance from his side which saw them hold sixth placed Thame to a 2-2 draw.

The home side twice took the lead in the first half but were pegged back both times before the break and were denied by the post and goalkeeper from claiming the win in the second half.

Bassett kept possession from the kick off and after three minutes Joe Hiscock put in a dangerous cross which evaded everyone and Dan Bailey claimed he got a touch on it at the back post.

But the lead did not last long for the hosts as they fell asleep at the back post during a corner and allowed Thame to equalise.

Bassett were back in front though when Bailey put in a cross to Nathan Gambling who took the ball on his chest and put it in the corner with his left foot from the edge of the box.

The visitors were able to pull the scores back level for a second time just before the break when they capitalised on a slip at the back.

Kurtis Sharkey, on his debut, stopped the first attempt but Thame made it to the re-bound first and were able to score into an empty net.

Despite hitting the post in the second half through Dale Richards header and an effort being stopped on the line Bassett could not find the third goal to claim all three points.

“It was a good result and we were happy with getting the point but looking back on the second half it was probably two points dropped,” said Braithwaite.

“I don’t want to take anything away from taking a point from what was a hard game and a hard fixture.

“I am happy with the point but the way we played in the second half and the chances we created maybe we should have taken all three.”

Bassett handed a debut to Sharkey who signed in the week from Wroughton to add some experience to the back-line and were also pleased that James Skinner had turned down an approach from Fairford in the week.

“James is a very important player who gives us versatility and will be a key player at Wootton Bassett Town in the coming seasons,” added Braithwaite.

“Kurtis brings a bit of experience.

“We just felt that it would be good to bring in a bit of experience for the club.”