SWINDON Supermarine maintained their unbeaten home record in Southern League Premier South following a 1-1 draw with Beaconsfield Town on Saturday.

Lee Spalding's men saw off some early pressure to take the lead against the run of play at the Webbswood Stadium, Brad Hooper netting a wonderful strike from the edge of the box in the 13th minute.

Marine defender Ty Duffus was forced off with a dislocated shoulder soon after, and with five minutes left in the half Aaron Minhas beat his marker to place the ball beyond the despairing reach of Marine custodian Connor Johns to level the scores.

The second half featured a lot of effort, but neither side could produce the required magic to grab a victory.

The point moved Marine up to third after eight games, but a tough test awaits on Tuesday night when they visit early table-toppers Weston Super Mare.

Speaking to club media post-match, Spalding said: “We probably weren’t at our best, but we’ll take the point.

"We take the positives from it and we know we can be better. We’ve gone up to third and we’ve made a good start to the season, so we’re happy with that.

“We said earlier on that last season, we’d probably have lost that game out there today and against an opposition like that.

"It would have been very easy for us to roll over and let them go and score a winner and go “oh, well” – but that isn’t what we want.

"I think the boys showed a lot of spirit out there, a lot of togetherness, to hang in there and to grind out a result and get a point. We’re six unbeaten, so we take the positives from that.”

On Monday, Marine were drawn at home to Cirencester Town in the FA Trophy third-qualifying round. Games are to be played on Saturday, October 8.

Meanwhile, Highworth Town's Southern League Division One Central struggles continued after a 4-1 loss away at Biggleswade Town on Saturday.

Gareth Davies' men were a goal down at half-time and conceded twice more in the second half before Felipe Barcelos grabbed a consolation.

But a fourth Biggleswade goal in the 86th minute ended any faint hopes of a Highworth comeback.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town were not in Hellenic League Premier Division action last weekend but return away to Thornbury Town on Tuesday night.

Bassett have been drawn away to Bridport in the FA Vase first round on Saturday, October 22.