Come the end of the season the Shots could look back at this week as the defining matches of their campaign.
They were held to a 1 – 1 draw at the Rec on Saturday afternoon, by a decent Crewe outfit, meaning only one point has been secured from two home games.
Anthony Charles came back into the Shots starting line-up at Full back as Bozanic reverted to the bench. This meant that Straker moved forward to the left side of midfield.
In the only other change from Tuesday night, Jackson replaced Soares.
The home side made the worst possible start, conceding inside a minute. Just seconds were on the clock when Joel Grant slid the ball into the box. Clayton Donaldson was first onto it and he clipped the ball over the advancing Young.
It didn’t look like it had the pace to cross the line – but on the first bounce it took off like a Shane Warne topspinner and it crept into the net, with Young scrambling back in vain.
In the 10th minute, after a good cross from Jackson, Charles controlled the ball before unleashing a powerful volley which struck Mitchel-King flush in the face.
After a few minutes of treatment the Crewe defender couldn’t continue and was replaced by Patrick Ada.
Then Dean Morgan saw his well struck effort in the 16th minute well pushed away by Phillips.
The Shots then lost their way in the next phase of the game, reminiscent of Tuesday night, and when they scored the equaliser in the 41st minute, it was against the run of play.
Ben Harding swung over an inswinging corner which was cleared behind.
From the subsequent flag kick the Shots midfielder’s attempt flew straight in.
When Aaron Brown misjudged a through ball, Donaldson was gifted an opportunity, but he curled his effort over when he had other options available.
Joel Grant then hit the back of the net with a sweet volley, but the offside flag was already raised.
After some good work from Dean Morgan, his namesake Marvin just failed to make enough contact at the near post.
HALF TIME: Shots 1 – Crewe 1
The Shots started the second period at a higher tempo, and they almost took the lead on 52 minutes.
Scott Donnelly did well to find Dean Morgan, who swivelled and struck a fierce half volley just over.
Shortly after Calvin Zola was through on goal, but he was thwarted by an excellent finger tip save from Young.
Just after the hour a long diagonal ball found Donaldson, who looked suspiciously offside, but he blasted over when he should have hit the target.
In the 63rd minute Zola’s flicked header flew just over.
A minute later Bozanic replaced Shots goal scorer Harding.
Dean Morgan then did well to dispossess a defender and his subsequent effort rolled all the way across the 6 yard box and just wide of the far post.
Hudson then replaced Jackson in the 67th minute. Soon after, Young did well to deny Donaldson at his near post.
At the other end Winfield’s header, from a Donnelly corner, was superbly tipped over by Phillips.
The Shots were now turning the screw, but they just couldn’t instigate a clear cut opportunity.
In the 84th minute Winfield had to make a last ditch clearance from a Shelley cross.
Hylton replaced Donnelly in the 88th minute.
The Shots had two decent attempts in the four minutes of stoppage time.
Firstly Dean Morgan’s well struck effort cannoned back off the post.
Then Straker saw his long rage effort flash wide – and with it went the Shots hopes of claiming all three points.
TS RATINGS:
Young 7. Blackburn 6, Charles 5, Winfield 6.5, Brown 5, Harding 6 (Bozanic), Jackson 5.5 (Hudson), Donnelly 6.5 (Hylton), M Morgan 6, D Morgan 7., Straker 6.5
Referee: D Deadman – 4
Entertainment Value - 6
With thanks to Tongham Shots.