ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town chairman Andy Walduck expects new manager Rich Hunter to keep his side clear of a relegation battle in the Hellenic League Premier Division this term after handing him the job on a permanent basis.

Hunter has been at the club for the past two seasons, working as one of Paul Braithwaite’s coaches until the latter resigned earlier this month.

Having had Hunter take charge on a temporary basis, Walduck has opted to hand him the reins full-time, with Derek Hamilton acting as his number two.

“We did set a top 10 finish (for Braithwaite) at the start of the season, but with all the changes that have gone on it is about consolidation and not getting involved in a relegation battle,” Walduck said.

“Right now it is about stability and getting the team ethos back and also getting the first team integrated with the other two senior teams that we have at the club.

“Rich was one of Paul coaches working behind the scenes, but really he set up a lot of the training sessions and how we wanted to play so we have retained that, which is really good.”

Hunter’s first game as the new Bassett manager saw his side come from 3-1 down at The Elms to draw with local rivals Highworth Town 3-3 today.

Aysa Corrick, who scored both of the Worthians' goals on Saturday at Flackwell Heath, got the hosts off to a flying start with a goal in the opening five minutes.

That lead was doubled four minutes later when Fabian McCarthy struck.

Bassett pulled a goal back in the 32nd minute when Steve Robertson was on hand to tuck away a lovely cross from Dan Bailey.

Highworth restored their two-goal advantage after the interval when Corrick and Steve May linked up for the latter to strike in the 68th minute.

However, Bassett, who also headed into the game on the back of their first league win of the season, saw Robertson grab his second of the match a minute later.

The visitors bagged a deserved point 11 minutes from time when Sam Packer headed home the equaliser.

“I was very pleased,” Walduck said. “They fought back very well and showed some big team spirit and the team is starting to gel now which is really good.

“There have been lots of changes over the summer, we had new players coming in and players leaving, new management so we are chuffed to bits that they have comeback to get the point.”