Uche Ikpeazu scored a spectacular goal on his debut to help Didcot Town gain a creditable 1-1 draw away to Evo-Stick Southern League Division 1 South & West promotion-chasing Thatcham.
Didcot were without Lee Henderson and Sam Elkins (both suspended) and the unavailable Danny Seaward and Kevin Halliday, but were boosted by the return of former skipper Jamie Heapy who gave an assured display.
The visitors took the lead after 35 minutes when 16-year-old Ikpeazu – on loan from Reading – took possession just inside the Thatcham half, and after beating two defenders skipped into the box to chip over the advancing keeper Paul Strudley.
Didcot held firm until midway into the second half before Thatcham levelled, James Clark volleying home from 15 yards after good work from Tom Eldridge.
Didcot came closest to grabbing all three points when substitute Paul Robinson fired in a perfect cross for Harrison Bayley.
His header appeared to be be arrowing into the corner of the net before Strudley pulled off a stunning save one-handed save to deny him.
Didcot Tn: Santangelo, Bayley, Davis, Heapy, Peirson, Stanley, Howell, Mudge, Ikpeazu (Turner 90), Faulker (Robinson 80), Millar (Lyskov 67). Subs not used: Beames, Bernasconi.
Attendance: 165
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here