Bushin's brace keeps unbeaten home record going for Yellows
JOE Bushin hit a double as Tiverton Town maintained their unbeaten home record with a 2-2 draw against Didcot Town.
An own goal from Josh Conacen saw the Yellows concede the first goal for the fourth time in five home games.
There appeared to be little danger when the youngster headed back to Chris Wright but the keeper slipped at the vital moment and the ball rolled into the back of the net to gift the visitors the opener.
But Tiverton's response was swift, Bushin capitalising on a weak parry from Didcot keeper Marco Belloli and stroking home with ease for the equaliser.
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Max Bristow was handed his Tiverton debut and he played a crucial role in Tiverton getting their noses back in front on the stroke of half-time.
The 16-year-old was upended by Didcot's Gareth Thomas and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Bushin kept his cool to dispatch the spot kick to put the Yellows on course for victory.
However, Didcot raised their game after the break and grabbed an equaliser thanks to a strike from Pablo Haysham that deceived keeper Wright.
Bushin came close to snatching a winner, climbing above the Didcot defence to produce a powerful header that was tipped on to the bar by Belloli.
Even then Bristow could have won it for the hosts, but his shot from the rebound was cleared off the line.
Saunders conceded that a draw was a fair result and admits his side must improve if they are to continue challenging towards the top of the Southern League Division One South & West.
"A point was a fair outcome," he said. "It took us ages to get going, by which time we were 1-0 down and after that they had three very good chances, which they didn't put away.
"We rode our luck and got on top for the last 10 minutes of the half and ended up scoring two goals.
"We kept going in the second half and they got an equaliser with a 25-yard shot that I expected Wrighty (Chris Wright) to do better with. The lads said the ball moved and dipped in front of him but I still think he should have done better.
"Overall I am happy with a point because we didn't do enough to deserve three points. It is a point against a side who haven't started their league campaign that well, but who have done well in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.
"I don't think we have played particularly well for the last two or three games. Put it this way we have played worse and got three points. But the main thing is we didn't lose."
Saunders has challenged Bushin to take added responsibility for scoring the goals after Owen Howe was ruled out of action for up to three weeks with an ankle injury.
The Yellows manager added: "That is six goals for Joe now and that will give him huge confidence. He has worked ever so hard and he deserved those two goals on Saturday for his work rate.
"Owen Howe was scoring goals before he got injured but he is going to be out now so I am hoping Joe can carry on scoring in his absence."
Tiverton are next back in action on Saturday when they make the trip to Cinderford Town.
Defender Paul Kendall is suspended from the game, while Andy Taylor is an injury doubt after picking up an ankle knock at the weekend.
Saunders said: "Cinderford will be a big, strong, physical side and it will be a totally different game to Saturday.
"We have just got to go there and be hard to beat. The lads have worked their socks off in games and they have given every bit of effort they have got.
"But we have not been as effective with the football as we have been in previous games, but that will come as we have got a lot of good footballers.
"The lads will take confidence from the fact that we are still up there in the league and last season we probably would have lost that game against Didcot. But I think we are more adaptable this year."
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