SUBSTITUTE Russell James blasted a late, late leveller that denied BAT a Wessex League victory at Downton.

Home boss Mitch Blake threw James into the fray in place of Mark Harding, and was rewarded with time running out.

That was when James rifled a 30-yard shot into the net to cancel out ex-Saint Dave Puckett's 52nd-minute spot-kick opener.

"It was a good game, an open game," said Blake. "The BAT guy said we deserved a point and I thought so to. It was a good all round performance from us."

Blake was left to rue a couple of refereeing decisions he didn't agree with.

"In the first half their keeper brought Nick Lumber down but the ref didn't give a penalty, and then Chris King was brought down by Lee Hodder but again no penalty.

"Then in the second half Dave Puckett shot from 15 yards, the ball struck my skipper Mike Savage on the hand, and a penalty was given!"

Left-back Kevin Pelling picked up a groin injury late on and he is unlikely to start tomorrow's Salisbury Hospital Cup tie at home to Amesbury.

BAT boss Andy Leader described his side's performance as "our worst of the season."

But he added: "Don't get me wrong - Downton deserved their point, they deserved to get something from the game.

"They battered us for the last 15 minutes.

"I don't know where the referee got all the added time from, but if I'm honest we didn't deserve to win. It was a very disappointing performance."

Leader added: "No disrespect to Downton, but I was looking to go there and get three points.

"We shouldn't have been complacent, the dressing room was buzzing before the start and we had an excellent warm-up.

"But then the game started and it all went a bit flat, so I suppose we were a bit complacent.

"But that's why I think the Wessex League is a lot stronger this season than it was last season.

"You can't go to places like Downton and Hamble anymore and expect to get three points.

"If you don't apply yourself properly at places like that you won't win."