SHAWBURY United manager Dave Richards praised keeper Ian Havard after the shot-stopper put in a man of the match display to earn his side a valuable point at home to Long Eaton United on Saturday.

But with the visitors bagging their equaliser in the dying minutes of the match, the frustrated boss admits it should have been three points that his MFL Premier League strugglers were celebrating.

“With them scoring so late then you have to look at it as two points lost,” Richards said. “And it was from a cross that really should have been dealt with.

“We started well with Sean Evans sneaking around the back to score but if it hadn’t been for Ian Havard in goal we’d have been 3-1 down at half-time – he’s pulled off three good saves to keep us in the game.

“He saved us ten or 12 points last season and some of the saves he’s made this season have been top drawer.”

Shawbury scorer Evans was sent off eight minutes from time after picking up a second yellow card and it was when the home side were down to ten men that Long Eaton grabbed their equaliser.

The Shropshire side were due to play at high-fliers Worcester City on Tuesday before playing host to basement club Rocester on Saturday.

“If you want to stay in the league then you have to beat those clubs below you in the table and for us that means Rocester this weekend,” Richards said. “It’s a massive six pointer and a game we just have to win.”

One disappointment for the Shawbury boss if that Evans’ dismissal means he will miss Saturday’s match.

The heavy rain meant there were few other matches played locally but Ludlow should be back in action at the weekend when they head to neighbours Church Stretton in Division Two of the West Midlands League.

Craven Arms Town lost 5-0 at home to Shropshire League Premier Division leaders Oakengates Athletic while the only game in the Herefordshire League saw Tenbury United beat Leominster Town 6-1 in the Premier Division.