ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town manager Sam Collier feels his side are maturing after they took a point from Ascot United thanks to their 1-1 draw on Saturday.

After Nick Stanley had volleyed Bassett in front during the first half, Bassett conceded during the second and instead of going out to try and win the game, Collier’s men defended resolutely to come away with a hard-fought draw.

Summing up his side’s afternoon, Collier said: “We had the wind in the first half and went 1-0 up, which I felt we fully deserved.

“In the second half, they had a little bit of a go, but they didn’t create too much and then they scored quite a lucky goal – the lads suggested it was offside, but other than that they didn’t hurt us.

“We had a couple of chances that we probably should have taken, but in the end, I would say it was probably a fair result.”

Before Saturday’s draw, Bassett had not won any of their last four away league fixtures and Collier said improving in that particular area was high up on his list of priorities for the remainder of the season.

Showing enough maturity and character to settle for a point pleased Collier and said he and his players are learning more about the game with each passing week.

He said: “We’ve struggled with our away form this season and what we’ve not done is settled for points – We took a point against Ascot that we fully deserved.

“Nick Stanley has come in, he’s 35, and he was tremendous for us – he’s worked the line and scored a really good goal.

“I think that’s five goals in nine games for him, so in terms of striking ability, he’s proved invaluable to us.

“Previously, because we’re not going to win the league and we’re not going to go down, we’ve been going everywhere trying to win games and sometimes that has cost us.

“Today, we sat back a little bit and thought that maybe coming to Ascot and getting a point wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

“I’m learning every week, so is Matthew (Bulman) and the lads did fantastically well.”

Elsewhere in the Hellenic Premier Division, Shrivenham are now up to sixth following their 11th consecutive league win.

Gareth Davies’ side beat Longlevens 2-1 away from home thanks to a penalty from Nathan Blackford and an Antonia Gerrish goal.

Fairford Town won 2-0 at home to Lydney Town courtesy of goals from Charlie and Dan Bailey.

In Hellenic Division One West, Malmesbury Victoria won 1-0 away at third-place Easington Sports.