CALNE Town secured their first point of the season after an impressive display against promotion hopefuls Clyst Rovers at Bremhill View on Saturday.
Stuart Skinner put the hosts in front early in the second half, but Clyst rescued a point ten minutes from time through former Exeter City striker Rob Speakman.
Substitute Liam Byfield thought he had won the game for Calne with a late header, but was red carded for foul and abusive language after an assistant referee ruled out his effort for offside. Joint manager Kelvin Highmore was encouraged by his side's performance and felt his men could have taken maximum points.
He said: "We did well again and, in fairness to the lads, we couldn't fault anyone. The lads thought Clyst had been the best footballing side we've played so far and we are getting closer to what we want.
"We are disappointed in a way that we've only come away with one of the three points on offer."
The visitors had rattled in 11 goals in their previous two matches, but Calne defensive duo Nick Taylor shackled the dangerous Sufyan Ghazgazi throughout the clash.
Both goalkeepers produced good saves in an end-to-end first half, with Glenn Armstrong and James Lye both denied by Mark Rock.
Calne took the lead five minutes after half time. New signing Armstrong made a strong run on the left and unselfishly centred for substitute Skinner, who curled the ball past Rock from 18 yards.
Clyst responded well and Ghazgazi was denied by Darryl Sims just past the hour mark. Their pressure told in the 80th minute when Speakman played a quick one-two with strike partner Ghazgazi and swept the ball past Sims from 15 yards to equalise.
The hosts pushed forward in search of a winner and thought they had regained the lead in the closing minutes when Byfield turned in Ben Moore's goalbound header.
But an offside flag curtailed the celebrations and Byfield, who had only been on the field for a minute, was given his marching orders for his angry reaction.
Said Highmore: "If Liam had left it, the ball would still have gone in. The ref has sent him off for foul and abusive language and, while we can't condone that, we can understand his frustration."
Calne entertain Shepton Mallet in the FA Vase on Saturday, looking to avenge a 2-0 league defeat on the opening day of the campaign.
They also play host to unbeaten Bitton on Tuesday night, kick off 7.30pm. Said Highmore: "Shepton beat us 2-0 at their place and it will be interesting to see how far we've come. The way we're going, I will be expecting us to win that game."
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