Borough '˜lacking spark' but do get plus point

The draw ended a run of five consecutive defeats though their goal drought extended to four games.

Assistant manager Mick Catlin was just happy to get a point on the board.

‘It wasn’t a great game and we are just not sparking in front of goal,’ said Catlin.

‘We are creating a few half chances but are not as potent in front of goal as we were earlier in the season.

‘A lot of that is down to a lack of confidence.

‘Justin Bennett is the only recognised striker left on our books and he hasn’t scored for 10 games.

‘We need other players to chip in but it is just not happening.

‘Dan Wooden, who we are playing alongside Bennett, used to create a lot of chances for him from his wide position. We are missing that.’

The home side started well with Wooden setting up Rory Williams whose first time shot was blocked.

Bishop’s Stortford responded when Elliot Buchanan tested home goalkeeper George Legg’s reflexes with a decent effort.

Wooden had the first opportunity in the second half but his effort was saved by Tom Lovelock.

The game erupted briefly when Charlie Higgins caught Buchanan with a late challenge.

With 25 minutes remaining Borough boss Alex Pike was sent to the stands after criticising the referee too many times.

In the closing stages Borough had goalkeeper Legg to thank for keeping them on level terms.

First he was alert to punch the ball away after a misplaced back header by Sam Pearce.

Corby Moore headed over a good chance to win it for the visitors before Legg again saved from the same player.

Caitlin admitted that the chances of making the play-offs is a distant dream.

‘We have four games left and the target now is to see how high we can finish with the resources we have got,’ said Catlin.

‘Then we can put to bed what has ended as a bad season.

‘We started well enough but the second half of the campaign has been a nightmare.

‘Hopefully we can regroup in the summer and go again next season.

‘There are a lot of lessons to be learned from this season and hopefully we won’t make the same mistake again.

‘It looks likely we might lose a few players in pre-season and we will need to do a rebuilding job.

‘We need to find a model that is more sustainable.’

Gosport host Basingstoke tomorrow (7.45pm).

GOSPORT BOROUGH: Legg, Cuthbertson, Williams, Carter, Poate, Pearce, Woodford, Dunford (Wilde 80), Higgins, Bennett, Wooden. Attendance: 327.