GARETH Davies hopes Shrivenham’s battling draw at home to Ascot United at the weekend can be the catalyst for better fortunes in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Shrivvy are currently bottom of the table in their first season back in the top flight following promotion from Division One West last term.

Each of their last four league fixtures had resulted in defeat and Saturday’s contest looked like ending the same way for Davies’ side as they trailed 2-1 in the dying stages.

However, substitute Sean McKeon popped up with a last-gasp leveller to earn Shrivvy a point – their eighth from 12 league games this term.

Shrivenham’s Lewis Petrie had earlier cancelled out Nathan Minhas’ opener and Jean-Claude Etienne looked to have won the game for Ascot with 10 minutes to go before McKeon struck.

Although Shrivvy face the small task of a trip to league leaders Brackley Town Saints on Tuesday night, Davies hopes the heart and resolve on display against Ascot give his side something to build on.

“I am not going to lie, the last few weeks have been quite tough for us. When we have conceded a goal recently, we have been folding and making teams’ lives very easy,” said Davies.

“On Saturday, that didn’t seem to happen when we conceded. We kept going and we showed a bit of character. Our determination to stay in the game was outstanding, we didn’t give up.

“When Ascot scored again with 10 minutes to go, I think they thought they had won it, but we carried on and kept plugging away and got our reward right at the end.

“You’d like to think this result is one that can be the catalyst for a better run of form, but then we have got to play the team at the top of the league on Tuesday.

“It should give the lads a bit of confidence as Ascot are a very good side – they have got quality all over the pitch.

“Hopefully this gives them a kick up the backside and they realise that they can compete against good players.

“It is about being consistent. You can’t just do it when you feel like it, you have to do it all the time.”

Elsewhere, Royal Wootton Bassett Town suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to leaders Brackley, with TJ Bohane on target for Sam Collier’s side.

Fairford Town were beaten 2-0 at home by AFC Aldermaston in the Challenge Cup.

In Division One West, bottom side New College remain without a point this season after suffering a 7-0 drubbing at Pewsey Vale.