A LATE strike from former Calne Town striker Gary Banks denied his old club three points on Tuesday night, just days after a disappointing exit from the FA Cup.

The Lilywhites conceded an early goal against Shrivenham on Saturday but had the better of the game from then on without being able to score.

Boosted by the arrival of striker Blaine Fitzgerald three days later, who signed on from their FA Cup opponents after the weekend’s game, Calne stormed into a 3-1 lead at Welton Rovers.

However, a contentious second half penalty decision gave the home side hope before Banks, who left Bremhill View in the summer, capped a fine move late on to equalise past keeper Jamie Bartlett.

“If we could have combined the two performances they would have been nearly perfect,” said assistant boss Paul Thompson.

“On Saturday we out-passed and out-played without getting that goal whereas on Tuesday I didn’t think we were at our best.

“If we can now take the positive aspects out of both games then we won’t be a million miles away from being a good team.”

Teenage wideman Jordan Roberts was instrumental in Calne’s best chances on Saturday by first hitting the bar with a lob and then setting up Neurin Jones with a chance, only for him to head into the side netting.

Thompson moved quickly after the game to re-unite with free-scoring frontman Fitzgerald, who played under him at Devizes Town, and had netted five times in three league games for Shrivenham so far this year.

Kelvin Highmore’s side conceded from a corner in the ninth minute on Tuesday but responded brightly ten minutes later when Roberts set Fitzgerald free to open his account for his new club.

In injury time at the end of the first half Roberts scored himself with a delicate lob and it was 3-1 five minutes after the restart when Fitzgerald scored a superb volley, following a flick on from captain Dan Jones.

Highmore was angry with the penalty award that allowed Welton back into the game but attached no blame to his side for the late equaliser.

“There’s no way it was a penalty and even their manager was laughing,” he said.

“It deflated our lads and was a turning point. Gary Banks is a good player and I congratulated him on the goal after the game, albeit through gritted teeth.”

He added: “Blaine looked lively, quick and you couldn’t have asked for a better debut. We’ve had a tough start but have three points and lets see how many other clubs get a point at Welton on a Tuesday night.”

Calne host Ardley United in the FA Vase on Saturday.

“We don’t enter cup competition to lose,” said Thompson.

“But our main aim is to establish ourselves in the league.”