Baffins Milton Rovers end horror losing streak with Wessex Premier draw against Tadley Calleva

Manager Shaun Wilkinson felt there were signs his team are starting to turn the corner.

He was particularly encouraged by their second half performance.

'We deserved to win in the end,' he said.

'In the first half we played like a team that had lost their last six and looked a little nervous.

'At half-time we had an open conversation about what needed to be done.

'It was down to the players and, to be fair, a few who had been quiet in the first half got on top of their game.

'I don't think our goalkeeper touched the ball in the second period and we camped in their half.

'The only thing that was wrong was our failure to find a winning goal.'

Former Gosport Borough striker Iffy Onwuachu was given his debut and, although he showed he has more than enough about him to address Baffins’ scoring problem, he was unable to find the net.

The early signs were promising with Miles Everett curling an effort wide before Ryan Peake sent a header from a Kurt Watts cross over the top.

It was the visitors who opened the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Josh Elms was slipped through. Though his shot beat Charlie Searle, his effort rebounded off a post for Jamie Johnston to slot home.

Minutes later an effort from Everett was parried by keeper Jack Martin and Watts was denied a clean strike on the follow up.

Rovers needed just six minutes to equalise in the second period.

Tommy Scutt scored, although the credit must go to Callum Dart who did well to win the ball, shrug off a robust challenge before advancing and slipping the ball through to his fellow midfielder to fire home.

Baffins thought they should have had a penalty when Ryan Peake’s header was handled on the line by a defender, only for their claims to be ignored.

It was Rovers looking the more likely to go on and win the game with Peake looking dangerous every time they had a set piece.

Billy Connor, on for Watts, made an immediate impression with his pace down the wing and Onwuachu should have done better with his header.

On the stroke of full time Everett was put clean through but Martin grabbed his attempted chip.

Baffins are back in action at leaders Fareham on Tuesday.

Baffins Milton: Searle, Sharp, Miller, White, Warren, Peake, Watts, Scutt, Onwuachu, Dart, Everett.