Derby late show delivers much needed win

Derby wins away from home always have a sweet flavour. And Royal Wootton Bassett Town's latest 2-0 triumph on the road against Highworth Town will have tasted that much better given the circumstances.

Injuries have blighted Sam Collier's side for most of the season so far.

And away against their local rivals, Bassett put out a team that had something of a makeshift feel.

At the very least the side Bassett had out featured a number of players unfamiliar with one another.

Veteran journeyman forward Chris Zebroski - who until just a few days ago was assistant manager for Croydon Athletic in the Isthmian League - was making his Bassett debut. Also making his Men's First Team bow was defender Zach Pettifer, last season's Development team Manager's Player of the Year.

Alongside that pair, midfielder Chalmers Phin and defender Noah Coates were both making only their second starts in Bassett colours.

Despite those circumstances, Bassett ground out the kind of result they and their manager have been desperate for.

A pair of late goals did the trick.

Zebroski opened the scoring with quarter of an hour to go. Noah Coates' towering cross from the right bounced around the box, eventually falling to Tommy Ouldridge who fed Presley and from the byline he cut back for Zebroski to steer in first time from close range.

Presley then sealed the points three minutes from time, confidently sweeping home from the penalty spot after Pagliaroli stole possession and was felled by Johns.

Those two moments were the decisive ones in a game that otherwise produced limited chances for either side.

Bassett had the better of the game's opportunities in the first half though.

Alfie Presley had fired against the bar before forcing a low save from Connor Johns. Then on the stroke of half time Brad Pagliaroli hit the post with a long range free kick.

Neither team was able to break the deadlock in the opening half though.

And a goalless draw - a result that would not really have benefited either team that much - seemed a strong likelihood for a large portion of the game.

But, much to Bassett's delight, it didn't end that way as Collier and his team secured a third straight win on the Worthians' turf.