Ardley United stopped the rot with a 1-1 draw at home to Thatcham in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday.

After three defeats in a row, Kevin Brock’s side were looking to get back to winning ways.

But in the end they had to settle for a share of the spoils in an entertaining contest as the hosts dropped to 11th in the table.

The last time the sides met, Thatcham recorded a 1-0 win and it was the visitors who started the stronger.

However, the visitors weren’t able to trouble Ardley’s defence.

And it was the hosts who created the first opportunity of the game. Jon Gardner cut into the area, but Luke Ingram fired his cut-back wide of Chris Rackley’s near post.

At the other end, keeper Jack Harding was quickly off his line to deny the on-rushing Josh Stockwell.

Thatcham should have gone ahead just after the half-hour mark, but Stockwell’s shot rebounded off the near post.

Joe Eyre then set up Ingram, but Rackley saved his header.

Ardley improved in the second half and were rewarded with the opening goal on 50 minutes.

Gardner picked up the ball on the left side of midfield, and evaded a couple of challenges before unleashing a shot from 20 yards which flew past a stunned Rackley and into the net.

However, Ardley failed to build on their lead and paid the price on 74 minutes when the visitors equalised following a swift counter-attack.

With a couple of home defenders caught upfield, Stuart Parker broke forward.

Although Harding parried his shot, the ball fell to the feet of former Oxford City striker Yashwa Romeo who made no mistake from close range.

Ardley pressed for a winner with substitute Troy Bryan causing problems for the visitors in the closing stages, but failed to make the breakthrough.

On Saturday, they host Oxfordshire rivals Abingdon United.