HOST OF OPPORTUNITIES GO BEGGING IN FRONT OF SHEEPY ROAD FAITHFUL

VISITORS BROCTON BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF AFTER ESCAPING WITH A DRAW

MFL Division One: Atherstone Town CFC 1 Brocton FC 1

ATHERSTONE Town missed a gilt-edged opportunity to join Leicester Road and Stapenhill as early pacesetters in Midland Football League Division One.

The Adders left the field last night in a state of incredulity at having failed to capitalise on Ryan Quinn's 48th minute opener.

Six or seven goals for the home side would not have been unfair to Brocton who managed a 100 per cent return from one shot on target.

Chance after chance for the Adders went begging – from an Alex Naughton effort in the opening exchanges to substitute Jordan Dodd's header skimming the bar in stoppage time.

In between Dean Williams went close twice as did Tabang Dube who also saw a close range shot blocked.

Naughton had a free kick well saved and first Niall Rowe and then Dodd, signed before the season from Sporting Khalsa, were denied by the keeper – only for Sam Belcher to fail to finish in the follow up on both occasions.

Atherstone took the lead just after the interval when Ryan Quinn caught the visiting keeper unawares and fired home from the edge of the penalty area.

But Brocton were not to be denied and came almost straight back with defender Alex Scott heading home from a precision delivery by Dan Lomas.

It was just one of those evenings when they misfired in strike term, unable to make it three wins on the bounce after comprehensive 3-0 victories against Chelmsley Town and Staphenill on Saturday.

The manor of their missing out was reminiscent of the first game of the new season when they couldn't undo a Heath Hayes side playing with 10 men for the whole the second half.

Starting line-up: O'Neil, Billic, Gray, Quinn, Rowe, Belcher, Dube, Baxter, Naughton, Williams and Abraham.

Next match: Adders have so weekend game, so next up is away trip to Paget Rangers on Tuesday, September 22 in the league.