Ashford Tn 1, Evesham Utd 1

IT'S DIFFICULT to know where to start after Saturday's draw but concentrating on the positives would appear to be the best place in the context of United's successful season.

In terms of their rivals, the result was the best of the afternoon in terms of standard of opposition - a result achieved through a much improved final 15 minutes when the introduction of Danny Williams added welcome spark to a powder-puff front line.

Williams' display was another plus and his surges down the left caused Ashford untold problems and opened up what until then was a dreadful match between two top six sides.

Matty Hall's 76th minute equaliser was another high point as the winger raced down the right before cutting inside and smacking a left-footer from 20 yards that took a slight deflection before hitting the roof of the net.

Tim Clarke was again rarely troubled but it was another deflection that left the goalkeeper helpless when Ryan Lake's 38th minute free-kick hit the wall and looped agonisingly into the goal.

The scorer was within inches of doubling the lead with a stoppage-time dead-ball strike but the healthy United contingent sipped their half-time cuppa firmly in the knowledge that the visitors could only get better!

There was a surprise in store when Jermaine Clarke made way for Williams eight minutes after the break but the substitute's first attacking foray left Richard Ball with a free header that he directed over the bar.

Seconds thoughts over taking off Leon Blake 17 minutes from time proved another good move as one of Simon Fitter's first touches led to Blake feeding Hall for the leveller.

The game now opened up and Williams was creating havoc down the left but a couple of raids saw no one on hand to latch on to the final cross.

However, when Gavin O'Toole's pass saw Ball escape the offside flag, the striker rounded the goalkeeper but left himself with a tight angle and his finish flashed across the face of goal.

That was one of United's negatives as the striker also failed to hit the target with a free shot early on and Neil O'Sullivan did the same when only finding the side-netting from ten yards.

There was more frustration as a succession of set-pieces went to waste although the returning Steve Duncan did make contact with a Hall corner but his header was easily saved.