Thame Utd 1, Stourport Swifts 1: This dour battle between two mid-table teams in Southern League Division 1 West predictably ended in stalemate on Saturday.

However, Thame's leading scorer John Mitchell spurned a golden opportunity to secure all three points when he shot wide from four yards in the last few moments.

The visitors had gone in front after seven minutes when the normally dependable Mark Avery made a hash of a backpass to provide Stourport's Paul Lloyd with an unmissable opening.

Gavin Lane went close for Thame, heading just wide, while Mark Crisp almost increased the visitors' lead, only to be foiled by a superb Steve Smith save.

Thame manager Mark West made a double substitution at the start of the second half, bringing on big Tom Goffe and 17-year-old Adam Rhodes, and Goffe soon forced a fine save from Aaron O'Malley in the Stourport goal.

Thame were not to be denied, however, and on 54 minutes, good work from Jon Gardner and Mark Jones set up Mitchell for the equaliser.

Both sides could have sealed maximum points in the last quarter, with Andrew Jones heading over for the visitors, before Mitchell's miss left Thame dis- appointed.

Thame: Smith, Lane, Joyce, Wilson, Avery, Merritt, Gardner, Keen (Goffe 45), Mitchell, M C Jones, Mills (A Rhodes 45). Subs not used: Moore, N Rhodes, West.