WROUGHTON assistant manager Paul Bowden says that there is no need to hit the panic button after their Wiltshire Senior League title quest hit a dent in the road.

The Weir Field side suffered their first defeat in 17 matches when they lost 3-2 at home to championship rivals Shrewton United at the weekend.

And what made the loss even more sickening for Mark Love’s side was that after taking the lead in the first half, courtesy of a header from Shane Hibbert, Shrewton’s winner came with the final kick of the match.

Despite the loss, Wroughton hold a two-point lead over their nearest rivals, who have applied for promotion to the Sydenhams League, for the crown and they also have two games in hand.

Bowden said: “It is still in our hands. There is no need to press the panic button just yet.

“We have a got the nucleus of a squad. We have got 17 players so we have got players champing at the bit to come into the side.

“You never want to lose but maybe this is a bit of timely reminder for us.”

Shrewton had the chance to draw first blood on Saturday when they won a penalty, however, Eddie Salisbury pulled off a fine save in the Wroughton goal.

Hibbert then headed the host in front but despite piling on the pressure, some slack defending allowed the visitors to claim a 2-1 lead in the second half.

Wroughton got themselves back on level terms when Glenn Armstrong was bundled over in the Shrewton area and Hibbert bagged his second of the match from the spot.

However, Love’s side could not hold on for the draw as Shrewton grabbed a late winner.

Bowden added: “We should have been 3-0 up at half-time. Then they scored from a corner, which is disappointing as we have got the best defensive record in the league.

“Once we got back level, we should have just seen the game out to get the draw, but they are a very good side.”

Elsewhere, third-placed Melksham Town Reserves maintained their own title hopes with a 3-2 success over their Devizes Town counterparts, while last season’s champions, Trowbridge Town, defeated Cricklade Town 2-1.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Reserves had a comfortable 4-1 success over Malmesbury Victoria Development, Wilts Calne Town beat Corsham Town Reserves 3-2, while Bromham suffered a 3-0 defeat at Ludgershall Sports.