HIGHWORTH Town came from two goals down to snatch a point against struggling Abingdon United as the two sides shared a 2-2 draw at the Elms.

Town boss John Fisher fielded a depleted side with next weekend’s FA Vase semi-final first leg against North Shields in mind and they found themselves two goals in arrears at the break.

Kev Tate opened the scoring for the visitors before former Shrivenham player/manager Sam Collier doubled Abingdon’s advantage.

But it was all change in the second half as Highworth were much the better side and goals from Tom Price and Callum Parsons hauled them level.

And Highworth were actually just inches from completing the perfect comeback as Parsons could not make the most of a gilt-edged chance to snatch all three points as he failed to find the back of the net with a header late on.

Fisher said: “I was pleased we got back from 2-0 down. Abingdon are fighting for their lives and are a good side, it’s just they haven’t had the rub of the green this season.

“We started off badly and we were a bit sluggish. We weren’t at the races, really.

“When we went in at half-time we had a few words with them and said we needed to step it up. Fair play to the lads because they did that and it was as really good finish.

“We probably should have won it because Callum missed a header right at the end from just a few yards.

“But we’d have taken 2-2 at half-time as they had a chance to go 3-0 up in the first half and it that had gone in then that would have been the end of it.”

Fisher was in no doubt that the poor start was due to the fact that the Vase semi-final is looming large on the horizon.

With Highworth just two games away from a potential Wembley final, it is understandable that the players are likely to be distracted in league fixtures.

Fisher added: “We rested a few with the Vase in mind but the lads that came in all did well.

“I feel sorry for the players because there is so much riding on next weekend that it’s hard to concentrate on what’s happening in the here and now.

“I said to the lads at half-time that I understand and it’s difficult for everyone at the club to stay focussed but we just need to go out and turn it around and put in a good performance as we still want to finish as high up the table as we can.”

Highworth are back in action on Tuesday night and face a local derby at home to Wootton Bassett Town.