WILTSHIRE player-coach Tom Morton says his side missed opportunities after they were forced to settle for their first Unicorns Championship Western Division draw of the season.

Morton came close to snatching a win on a thrilling final day against Cornwall at St Austell on Tuesday.

The visitors finished just 14 runs shy of victory but needed the last-wicket pair of Tahir Afridi (33 not out) and Ryan Murray (18 not out) to stay put to ensure the home side didn’t secure the wicket they themselves required to snatch victory.

Cornwall, resuming their second innings on 268-7, added another 95 runs on the final day, thanks mainly to a maiden Minor Counties Championship century from former Nottinghamshire batsman Sam Wood (102).

Tommy Sturgess added 54 while Wiltshire’s Afridi ended with 4-75.

Wiltshire’s reply was mainly anchored by a partnership of 90 between opener Steve Bullen (82) and Brad Dawson, who added to his first-innings 59 with another 55.

Andrew Libby took 3-62 for the home side as the match headed towards its tense conclusion before the honours were shared.

“It was a great match, a really great game,” said Morton.

“We had them under some pressure in the first innings, they were at 110-8 and they put on quite a few runs on the last wicket which got them up to a respectable target.

“We missed out on a bit of an opportunity there to really get a grip on the game.

“Then we took a lead of 77 and batted reasonably well. We had five players get between 30 and 60 runs.

“I think ideally, we needed one of those to go out and get a big score, then we would have had a decent lead.

“That didn’t happen and the wicket got flatter and flatter as the game went on so it was hard to bowl them out.

“We got close to them and to chase that on the last day was a really good effort.”

Wiltshire’s next Championship match is against Wales at Pontarddulais CC starting on Sunday, August 5.

“We have played Wales three times already this season,” added Morton.

“We have beaten them twice and lose to them once so we will be confident going into the game.

“They are similar to us. They have a young side so it should be an even match.”