TROWBRIDGE Town boss Kieran Baggs said his players dropped well below their normal high standards this campaign as they were held to a surprise 1-1 draw at Vale of Pewsey.

A Ryan Nicholls strike put the visitors ahead in the first half but a goal from Pewsey before the break dealt a blow to Baggs’ side.

However, with league leaders Shrewton United in Senior Knockout Cup action, where they lost 4-2 to Ludgershall Sports, and second-placed Melksham Town losing 1-0 at Malmesbury Victoria, Trowbridge were able to close the gap on the top two.

“We may have used our get out of jail free card there,” said Baggs. “In hindsight, that point might not be the worst come the end of the season but it was certainly a game everyone expected us to win.

“The Pewsey side that we played at home was completely different to the side we faced on Saturday, with their first team not playing. But I would expect to beat their first team.

“Everybody wants to beat Trowbridge at the minute. When you are on that unbeaten run, you are a scalp for everybody from the top all the way to the bottom.

“We pick ourselves up and we have a home game against Marlborough next, and I will have the lads in training and hopefully, we can start to pick up that momentum of games.

“When you have a run of games and you are winning, it is much easier than not having a game for a month and then having to go to places where the pitches aren’t great. I’m looking to bring in one or two more before the March deadline is up, just to freshen up the squad and give us strength in depth.”

Marlborough Town hauled themselves away from the bottom four as they completed a 3-0 victory over Corsham Town Reserves.

Chippenham Park Development closed the gap on Trowbridge Wanderers, who are a place above them, with a 1-0 win over their hosts and Devizes Town Reserves were 4-0 winners at Sarum Youth.