ROYAL Wootton Bassett assistant manager Chris Green was pleased to see his players adapt to new roles in their win over Abingdon United.

With manager Paul Braithwaite absent, it was down to Green to ring the changes and with players absent through injury and suspension he opted for a 3-5-2 formation.

The change worked as Dan Bailey and Steve Olphert, from the penalty spot, gave Bassett all three points as Abingdon finished the game with 10 men.

“We had a few players unavailable, a few injuries, a few suspensions so we changed the shape a little bit and the boys responded well,” said Green. “They worked hard and did what we asked.

“We knew that if we played half as well as we could today, having played Abingdon a couple of weeks ago, we knew how they would set up and play.

“I thought the changes we made allowed us to play better. They had a spell in the second half for 15 minutes where things got scrappy.

“Their lad got sent off but I think they were trying to fight their way back into the game. Our lads didn’t let it affect them and didn’t get involved. It was good to see it out and a clean sheet is nice.”

After a sloppy start from both sides it was the hosts who were able to settle on the ball and opened the scoring after 10 minutes.

Harvey Scholes put in a ball to the back post and Dan Bailey was left free to head the ball into the ground and past Jack Grifiths.

The best chance for Bassett to double their lead before the break fell to Robertson when he was put through down the left, but he rushed his shot on the edge of the box and his scuffed effort went wide of the target.

The visitors’ challenge was made harder when Tom Booker was shown red to two quick yellow cards in the 69th minute.

The first came for a kick out on Bassett striker Robertson, before he talked his way into trouble and was handed a second yellow for dissent.

Bassett made the most of the man advantage and secured the win from the penalty spot after Robertson was felled by Jamie Essey.