WESTBURY ended their five-match losing run in the league, but the point they gained from this highly entertaining draw really could have been three.

After a surprisingly goalless first half, United scored first before conceding a penalty just a few minutes after the home side had had a man sent off.

With his squad ravaged by injuries to five first-choice players, boss Sam Gooding brought Bobby Mitchell back to the club and he played an important guiding role in the centre of midfield.

Goalscoring chances came thick and fast throughout the opening 45 minutes with play flowing in an attacking end to end style and both sides hit the woodwork with excellent strikes.

For Westbury, Beau Blakeman went close on four occasions with home keeper Courtney Redwood saving twice.

Simon Millard had a few efforts while both Gary Tugwell and Matt Mead also had attempts.

For Hengrove, Shane Cummins had three shots, Ricky Charlton went close twice and James Dunn had a single attempt and of those Westbury keeper Alex Shaftoe saved well twice.

The nearest Westbury came was when Mitchell struck a wonderful 35-yarder that crashed against the crossbar on 31 and, at the other end, Charlton almost put his side ahead a minute before the break when his lovely 20 yard free kick hit Shaftoe’s right-hand post.

Millard opened the scoring with his second goal in consecutive games on 53 minutes when he got in behind and, after taking a moment to weigh up his options, took the correct one by finishing well across the face of goal and into the far corner.

The match then continued where it had left off with yet more end to end play and plenty of opportunities for both teams.

Athletic had openings for Lee Webb, Scott Lewis twice, and Ben Crewe with Shaftoe making several fine saves.

United could have doubled their lead through Luke Stanley, Jason Collier and Nick Mead twice with most of those chances coming from set pieces and Redwood saved his side with two good pieces of work.

With 15 minutes remaining there was an incident between Tugwell and Dunn which saw the home player raise his hands and receive a straight red card and Tugwell a yellow card.

Within a minute however Hengrove were gifted an opportunity to equalise when Tom Whyte handled the ball inside the box and a penalty was awarded.

Crewe stepped up and scored with ease to make it 1-1.

From that point on only United came close to winning as Neil Grant from close range and Stanley with a free kick forced Redwood into saves.

Westbury United: Alex Shaftoe, Luke Stanley, Tom Whyte, David Whyte, Jason Collier, Gary Tugwell, Matt Mead, Bobby Mitchell, Simon Millard, Beau Blakeman, Nick Mead.

Substitutes:

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