Calne Town assistant manager Simon Hillier paid tribute to goalkeeper Steve Hale after he stepped up at the eleventh hour to help the side earn a 2-2 draw at home to league leaders Bitton on Wednesday.

The Lilywhites were without a stopper as late as Wednesday morning with usual number one Jason Grubb attending a UEFA coaching course and his deputy unavailable.

Hillier made a desperate plea to Hale, who was joint manager of the club in 2001 and current Thatcham Town assistant, and the 36-year-old put in a stunning performance to help define the contest.

“I phoned him on Wednesday morning and we registered him in the afternoon so he could play,” said Hillier.

“He’s a good friend of mine and I’ve known him for years and he did a good job for us to be fair.

“He plays on Sundays for Biddestone Social so he has kept his eye in but it was always going to be tough to ask him to come in against such a good side.

“But he made one fantastic save when we were 2-1 down, which I think proved the turning point and we could have done on to win.”

Darren Smart’s header put Calne in front on 20 minutes but Bitton showed their class to regain the lead.

However a fine team goal, capped by Dan Lardner’s finish, earned them a point before Ryan Pratley nearly nicked all three with a last-gasp header.

Meanwhile, Calne lost 4-2 at Bideford on Saturday.

They they host Welton Rovers this weekend.