IN-FORM Jason Thorne was first to the ball when teammate Gareth Cullimore was brought down in the box midway through the second half, only to put the spot kick over the bar and end Town's hopes of a second win on the bounce, writes Keith Fairbank.

But manager Jason Pritchard refused to point the finger at his striker for the miss, instead revelling in the fact Thorne had the confidence to take the responsibility.

He said: "I'm not going to knock Jason because a month ago he wouldn't have wanted to take it at all. He's been doing well recently and grabbed the chance to take the penalty and that's what you want to see.

"He's put his hand up and apologised, but I don't think he's got anything to apologise for."

Pritchard added that he felt his Town side deserved to be at least a goal up at half-time, instead of locked at 1-1 with visiting ENTO Aberaman. He said: "The first half, we were better than them and deserved to come in at the break in front.

"They're not a bad side at all, but we would rather have won the game, obviously."

Cullimore had scored with a cross-shot which evaded the keeper's judgement in the wind in the first 45 minutes.

He will no doubt claim he meant it, but Pritchard admitted he suspected it was unintentional - but either way it was just rewards for Caldicot's pressure.

In the second half, Town worked hard but lacked quality in the final third, creating few chances. Thorne's spot kick offered a chance to snatch all three points, but on another day perhaps Caldicot would already have been home and dry.

Caldicot Town are back on the road this week, travelling to Troedyrhiw on Saturday (kick off 3pm).