LOUIS Langdown described yesterday's Southern One South & West thriller at the Testwood Stadium as “the closest 8-1 draw I’ve ever known!”

The incredulous AFC Totton boss simply couldn’t believe his side had created so many chances at home to Barnstaple Town but wound up with just one point.

The final score read 1-1, but Stags boss Langdown was not exaggerating when he claimed his team could have scored eight times as many as they did in this crucial Southern One South & West basement battle.

Victory for third-to-bottom Totton would have lifted them level on points with Barnstaple – albeit with an inferior goal difference – but it wasn’t to be.

Despite creating openings galore after taking a 28th-minute lead through Charlie Gunson, they succumbed to a soft 77th-minute Scott Sharp equaliser and just couldn’t get the winner their endeavours deserved.

“How many times can you fire the ball across the box and it doesn’t go in?” asked a bemused Langdown.

“It was a great performance today, but ultimately it’s a draw and I feel disappointed for the lads.

“That should have been a win to take us ten points clear of the relegation zone, but it hasn’t happened.

“We’re eight points clear, so that’s a positive, but it should have been more.

“Right now we’re not getting what we deserve.

“I sound like a bit of a broken record, but at least the fans who were here today could see it for themselves.”

Totton may not have got the result they wanted, but they certainly kept the 239 crowd royally entertained on a cold, grey afternoon at the Testwood Stadium.

Mike Gosney, Nathaniel Sherborne, Gunson and AFC Bournemouth loanee Connor York – outstanding again at right-back – were all left shaking their heads wondering how on earth they hadn’t built on the Stags' first-half lead.

Having had a Sherborne ‘goal’ disallowed for a dubious offside flag against Gosney, Totton edged in front with the half-hour approaching when Dave Allen delivered the ball back in following a corner, allowing ex-Andover Town midfielder Gunson to nod home.

With Totton’s newest AFC Bournemouth loanee, 18-year-old Tyler Cordner, a class act alongside Dave Allen at centre-back, it looked as if that one goal might just be enough for the home side despite their wastefulness in front of goal.

But one lapse cost them dear with 13 minutes remaining when sub Sharp too easily glanced home a near-post corner for the Devon visitors.

“It was a soft goal to give away and the result doesn’t reflect the game, the effort or the chances we had,” shrugged Langdown.

“But it was good to see over 200 supporters here today. Maybe they have a connection with these players. They’re young boys doing their best against sides with bigger resources.

“Our target is what it’s always been – to avoid relegation.

“We (Langdown and player-assistant Adam Wilde) are not walking away and the players we’ve got now won’t be walking away either.”

With many loan players ineligible, Langdown’s next big challenge is to piece a side together for Tuesday's Hampshire FA Senior Cup quarter-final at Hartley Wintney (7.45pm).

AFC Totton: Charlie Searle, Connor York, Adam Wilde, Alfy Whittingham, Dave Allen, Tyler Cordner, Nick Watts (Ashley Jarvis, 65), Charlie Gunson, Nathaniel Sherborne (Neil Williams, 86), Marley Ridge, Mike Gosney. Subs (not used): Sam Roberts, Oshea McDonald, Jack Vallis.

Referee: Jim Paterson.

Attendance: 239.