JERAD O'Pray missed a golden opportunity to earn his side a point on Saturday as a young Westbury side produced a battling performance.

The striker raced clear through on goal with seconds remaining but he blazed over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

With injuries and suspensions ruling out some experienced players, United were forced to bring in several reserve players against fourth placed Clyst.

Particularly impressive were 16-year-old right midfielder Rob Taylor and 17-year-old defender Martin Little, while Matt Windsor acquitted himself well alongside Russell Fishlock in defence.

Westbury boss Derek Graham was in bullish mood after the defeat, claiming the signs for the future are promising.

He said: "This season is all but over for us, so we are already starting to rebuild for the next campaign.

"We have got some good youngsters at this club and it is time we gave them their chance.

"Performances like that give me hope for the future. They all played well and we really deserved a point."

With Wayne Wheeler back to fitness there was a real attacking edge again alongside O'Pray.

Mark Batters, who was to make a series of top class saves, was called upon after three minutes when Rob Speakman broke through. At the other end Taylor and Wheeler combined but the ball was cleared while both players saw shots narrowly miss the target.

Batters saved Tim Whiteoak's volley and Adam Young cleared off the line in a scramble on the half hour.

A slow start to the second half allowed the youngsters to settle and the only early danger came when Speakman blazed over from close range.

Nick Beales' free kick was comfortably dealt with by home keeper Ken Griffiths while Taylor fired over following O'Pray's fizzing cross.

As the Westbury lads began to feel the pace a home goal looked likely as Liam Collings and Speakman twice went close, the latter a double save by Batters.

The goal arrived on 75 minutes. Batters had saved Whiteoak's drive but the resulting corner was headed in by Martin Dunstone.

After Griffiths had again saved from Beales a glorious chance for an equaliser was spurned in stoppage time.

O'Pray found himself clean through with just the keeper to beat but somehow hit a glaring miss over the crossbar.