TEN-MAN Shrivenham battled to a 1-1 draw with visiting Wantage in the Hellenic Premier despite playing more than half the game without a natural goalkeeper.

When stopper Rich Hanley brought down a Wantage man shortly before the break and was dismissed, striker Paul Sanders stepped forward and took his place between the sticks.

Sanders cold not quite save the resulting penalty, but enjoyed a quiet time of it in the second period as his team cranked up the pressure against the odds, with Steve Robertson lobbing home from a tight angle in the closing stages to salvage a draw for the hosts.

“We had two lads coming back so it shouldn’t have been a sending off for Rich, at worse it was a yellow card,” said Shrivvy boss John Fisher.

“It wasn’t deliberate, he genuinely went for the ball and was absolutely gutted to be sent off.

“I think Paul Sanders only went in goal because he thought I was going to take him off, but he actually did quite well in that position.

“In the second half we came out and were the better side, and we could have even won it.”

The only other Hellenic Premier side in action were Fairford, who wasted multiple chances as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Witney.

A powerful header from Sean Webb seven minutes from time decided the contest, which leaves Fairford very much still in trouble in third-bottom.

The hosts began in positive fashion and Joe Dorey fired over from 20 yards early on, before goalkeeper Luke Adams made an excellent double save at the other end to keep the scores level.

Charlie Grabe shot off-target while strike partner Nathan Gambing directed his effort straight into the gloves of Daryl Simms.

Spanish winger Jon Gabilondo – the brother of Swindon Town’s Lander – then stung the palms of Simms and Gambling tested the Witney custodian again before the interval.

In the second period the visitors began to get a grip on the game, and ultimately Fairford were left to rue their first-half profligacy.

With the clock running down, a corner was sent into the area and Webb directed a bullet header into the net to secure three points.

In Division One West, Purton’s place in the top four looks increasingly under threat after they suffered a 5-2 hammering at Easington.

In the third round of the Supplementary Cup, Cricklade and Malmesbury were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes and then at 2-2 after extra time. Vics finished off the contest by triumphing 4-2 on penalties.

Elsewhere, in the Southern Premier, Supermarine’s survival hopes were dealt a blow as they were crushed 6-0 at home to high-flying Chesham.

The Webb’s Wood side had their goalkeeper sent off midway through the first half for handling outside the area, forcing full-back Kyle Lapham to take his place between the sticks.

Chesham then gleefully lapped up the goals, entering half time 2-0 up before adding four more after the interval.

Scoring for the visitors were Inie Effiong (2), James Potton, Scott Thomas, Chris Watters and Si Thomas.

Marine are now six poimnts from safety in the Southern Premier with seven games left to play.

Chippenham are now seven games without a league win after they were hammered 5-1 at table-toppers Brackley.

Gary Mulligan rifled the hosts ahead early on and although Chippenham came back into the game, they were dealt a body blow after the resumption.

Striker Steve Diggin produced a superbly-weighted lob that left Bluebirds stopper Jason Matthews helpless.

In the 63rd minute Eddie Nisevic’s cross was swept into the net by Glenn Walker and the score was 3-0.

Owen Story drew Matthews out of his goal before teeing up Diggin for his second of the afternoon.

Shaun Lamb received a red card for verbally abusing the linesman and although Alan Griffin converted a penalty to restore some pride, Brackley had the final say.

Diggin centred and sub Marvin Robinson headed into the net with his first touch.

Meanwhile, rock-bottom Cirencester drew 2-2 at home to Hitchin. Scott Griffin and Jody Bevan (pen) bagged their goals.