EMERGENCY goalkeeper Sam Collier conceded late on as Wootton Bassett Town were edged out 2-1 at Witney United in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

The striker took over from Stewart Thompson midway through the second half after the stopper was forced off with a torn thigh muscle, with the scores locked at 1-1 at that time.

But two minutes from the end Sam McNally’s cross was headed home by Joe Tustain to give the hosts vital points in their relegation scrap.

Bassett boss Dave Turner said: “No disrespect to Sam but I think Stewy would have saved the goal that went in. If he had stayed on the pitch I think we would have had something “I’m gutted because our first-half performance was as good as any we’ve put on all season.

“We could have been 3-0 up at half time and we scored our best goal of the season, the passing was just superb.

“To lose in those circumstances was a bitter pill to swallow.”

Bassett opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Ethan Delaney powering forward before feeding Matty Bown, who fired across the goalkeeper and into the net.

Despite looking the more likely to score in the remainder of the half, Bassett did not add to their tally and the hosts levelled in the 50th minute, when Jack Lonsdale burst into the area and was fouled by Thompson, with Tustain scoring from the spot.

Ten minutes later Tustain sent a incisive pass through for Sean McKeon, but his attempt was saved.

Tustain and McKeon had further chances before Collier took over from Thompson between the sticks, and two minutes from time, Tustain headed the winner.

Substitute Alex Green could have grabbed a point for the visitors in the closing moments, but nodded over the crossbar.

Meanwhile, Fairford Town’s wafer-thin hopes of survival were dealt another blow on Saturday as they were beaten 3-1 at home by fellow strugglers Carterton.

Dan Franklin had given the Cinder Lane side a fifth-minute lead, but Carterton secured victory courtesy of goals from Bostock (50), Secoll (71) and Williams (82).

There were multiple postponements for local teams at the weekend in a variety of league and cup competitions.

Highworth Town saw their Hellenic Premier home game against Slimbridge fall victim to the weather.

In Division One West, Purton’s visit to Lydney was also called off, with boss Chris Pethick organising a training session instead.

Elsewhere, in the Supplementary Challenge Cup second round, Shrivenham’s clash at home to Headington Amateurs failed to go ahead and Cricklade Town’s match against visitors Woodley Town suffered the same fate.

Malmesbury Vics were also not in action but had no game scheduled anyway.