ASCOT United manager Jeff Lamb was happy after seeing his side draw 2-2 draw with table-topping Thatcham Town on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

“Thatcham want to win the league, so to take points off them is a good thing although all three points would have been nice as they would have kept us in the (title) chase,” said Lamb.

In front of a crowd of 130, the Yellamen looked second best for much of the first half, but Lamb wasn’t surprised by their slow start.

He explained: “Thatcham have played a league game, cup tie and then a friendly in midweek, but due to the bad weather we had not played since December 27, so I knew it would be very tough for us to start with.

“We looked a little bit rusty, but we grew into the game and looked more comfortable.”

United fell behind in the 10th minute when they failed to pick up Mark Hughes and the Thatcham centre-back headed home a cross from Adam

Morris.

Ascot, however, started to work their way back into the game and were rewarded with a 30th-minute equaliser from Joe Grant.

Lamb made two changes at half-time, sending on striker David Pitt and midfielder Adam Cashin-Murray in place of Tom McGarry and Jamie West.

“In the second half we were much better and we played with more purpose,” added Lamb.

Cashin-Murray squandered a good chance to score before Thatcham substitute Josh Helmore put the league leaders back in front on 69 minutes after Ascot’s defence had failed to deal with a long throw-in from Hughes.

It took just six minutes for the Yellamen to equalise with a penalty after Grant had been impeded by Danny Lachacz, and Pitt made no mistake from the spot.

Thatcham went close to grabbing the winner with Helmore seeing his shot pushed onto the woodwork by keeper Chris Grace with ex-Ascot ace Jon Bennett blasting the rebound over the bar.

Lamb said: “Over the whole game a draw was a fair result and so I’m happy with the point.”

Ascot, who were scheduled to play Binfield in the Berks & Bucks Trophy last night (Tuesday), visit Brackley Town Saints on Saturday (3pm).