Bash left in the starting blocks

7:29pm Sunday 6th April 2008

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By Ian Wadley »

ON THE day of the Grand National, Steve Riley admitted his side "weren't at the races" as they scraped a draw against lowly Rugby Town.

Having defeated title contenders Team Bath in a seven-goal thriller on Tuesday night, Bashley failed to produce a performance of the same calibre against relegation-threatened Rugby.

Five minutes into the second period at the Recreation Ground, Rob Oddy cut in from the right and drove a low shot into the corner of the net to deservedly put the visitors in front Bash got on level terms shortly after when Danny Smith and Ryan Moss combined to earn a penalty, with Craig Davis making no mistake from the spot.

Despite having to settle for a draw, Bash remain hot favourites to secure a Southern Premier Division play-off place.

"We need nine points, no matter what the teams below us do," Riley told the Daily Echo.

"If we don't make the play-offs now we've only got ourselves to blame. We've got three away games now and we've still got that fifth position, and we'll do our best to keep it.

"The games we've got coming up, apart from King's Lynn, are against four teams in the bottom six or seven.

"They're scrapping for points, so we'd have probably preferred some mid-table sides, who aren't playing for anything."

Bash found out how difficult it is to play against a team fighting for survival against struggling Rugby on Saturday.

"It was 0-0 at half-time and we rode our luck a bit," admitted Riley. "We weren't at the races and it was a bit like after the Lord Mayor's Show, following Tuesday against Team Bath.

"Rugby needed the points and it looked as if they had a bit more desire than us because they're scrapping at the bottom to stay in the league.

"They travel well and have a better away record than home, and you can see why."

Riley added: "I understand how it happens that players perform like that.

"We used a lot of nervous energy on Tuesday and it must have drained the boys.

"It's been a difficult season physically and mentally, which makes it tough."

Bashley: Elm, Gazzard, Ferrett, Castle, Middleton, Smith, Knowles (Sainsbury, 90), Davis, Moss, Gillespie, Town (Keeler, 58). Unused subs: Harper, Brock, Riley.