Thame Utd 2, Ashford 2: Substitute Tom Goffe grabbed the late equaliser as Thame United started life at their new Aylesbury home with a 2-2 draw in last night's Southern League Division 1 West encounter.

Thame seemed doomed last month when their Windmill Road ground was repossessed by landlords Coleman Properties, before they secured a ground-share deal with Aylesbury United.

However, it wasn't until Aylesbury firm Compusys stepped in to pay the £7,500 bond, that Thame were allowed to take their place in the competition.

Before the game, Thame's officials were worried how the attendance would be affected, but more than 100 supporters made the journey to Aylesbury.

Goffe had been on the field for just six minutes of a hard-fought encounter when he fired home a cross from the excellent Kevin Franklin five minutes from time.

The game didn't start well for a youthful Thame who went a goal down after nine minutes to a breakaway goal from Scott Todd.

Thame keeper Paul Searl then made an excellent save before Darren Moore just failed to get on the end of a knockdown from strike partner and captain Colin Simpson.

At the other end, only a great interception from Thame player-manager Tony Joyce prevented Ashford from making it 2-0, before a super double save from Searl kept the score at 1-0.

That seemed to inspire Thame, with Ben Connolly heading home a pinpoint cross from Franklin on 37 minutes.

After the break, Thame started to put some pressure on Ashford, forcing two successive corners with Simpson going close with a header on 65 minutes.

Searl then performed heroics, somehow keeping out a point-blank range effort. However, he could do little when Ashford regained the lead after his defenders failed to clear their lines.

But back came Thame, with Connolly's replacement Goffe burying Franklin's cross with his first touch for the leveller.

Thame chairman, Jim Tite said: "It's been a difficult last couple of weeks, I've hardly slept.

"I didn't know what to expect, coming here. It was a wonderful feeling when Compusys put us back in business, it was wonderful.

"There is still alot to do. We need to get more sponsors. But after all that has happened, if we finish halfway up the league table, I would be well pleased."

Thame Utd: Searl, N Rhodes, Joyce (Da Silva 78), Lane (Bradley 16), Hocking, Groves, Connelly (Gough 79), Franklin, Moore, Simpson, Kitson. Sub not used: A Rhodes.

Attendance: 112.