HORNCHURCH 1, THAME UTD 1: Thame United produced a performance full of character to return from Essex with a well-deserved point.

The home side, who started the game in third, were forced on the back foot as Thame pushed forward from the off.

A clever turn by Mark West beat two defenders in the fourth minute, but there was no-one to convert his cross.

Steve Smith was called in to action in the 11th minute, saving comfortably from Danny Benstock.

Hornchurch keeper Paul Wood then had to save free kicks from Tony Joyce and Alex Stewart, and a backheel from Andy Williams before Thame took the lead.Stewart's low cross was turned into his own net by Kevin Jopson under pressure from West.

On half-time the home side levelled, when ex-West Ham star Steve Jones fired home.

In the second half Mark Avery should have put Thame ahead on 62 minutes, but he missed from five yards.

With time running out, West saw his header well saved by Wood, while at the other end, Andy Martin went close.

**Thame: Smith, Silvestri (Freeman 76), Joyce, Saulsbury, Williams, Abbasi, Avery, West, Stewart (Ferreira 68), Jones, Thornton. Subs: Bartley, Keen, Chowns (not used).