BARTESTREE manager Chris Hayes is hoping his team can now climb the West Midlands League Division One table after holding high-fliers AFC Ludlow.

The villagers grounded out an excellent point against their Shropshire opponents, which Hayes hopes will now instil some much needed belief into his team.

Bartestree have been languishing near the foot of the table for most of the season, but last Saturday's point means there is now only four points between them and ninth place Wem Town.

This weekend, the villagers travel to Stone Old Alleyians, who are just three places above them in the table.

"We have had a number of players missing for various of reasons, like suspensions, injuries and work commitments, but we didn't fear Ludlow," said Hayes.

"We deal with big games like this, especially derbies, with the right mentality and approach games differently.

"We try and avoid doing things pretty and we knuckle down and graft and generally we get a result.

"I thought we gave a good account of ourselves and I thought Ludlow did the same.

"When you look at our results, we have not been hammered by anybody, but the league table tells a different story.

"But we would like to build on this and go to Stone away and hopefully get three points there.

"The aim is to finish in the top half in a respectable position.

"I think this year has been a rollercoaster, but next year from January, we want to put a run of wins together and finish in a good position."

The main talking point of the game was two sending offs that saw both teams reduced to ten men.

AFC Ludlow's Kieran Dovey saw red for raising his hands at Bartestree's Marc Avery on the stroke of half-time before Avery himself was dismissed in the second half for scything down Jack Beaumont.

Hayes said, even though he did not see either incident, he had no problem with the decisions and acknowledges that his team needs to cut out any ill-discipline.

"The referee and the officials have got a job to do," he said.

"They clearly thought, with the reaction of the other players around them, that they were both red cards.

"So we are in a position again when it's another suspension and we have to deal with it and work on our discipline."

Hayes added he is enjoying being the manager after replacing Dave Cadwallader earlier this season.

"It has had its challenges but it's one of the jobs where the buck stops with you and I have to get used to that and not take it all personally," said Hayes.

"But I've enjoyed it and it's a fantastic job."

Bartestree were forced into an early change when Darren Andrews was forced off the field with an injury.

But, to their credit, they defended well against a well-drilled AFC Ludlow side and even had the best chance of the half when Mark Hibbard's effort stroked the edge of a post after 23 minutes.

Two minutes later, Bartestree goalkeeper John Hopkins made a great save to deny Dovey before Jake Pryce could not divert a free-kick home for the away side.

Dovey then saw red when he struck Avery in the middle of the park which gave Bartestree the man advantage at the break.

But it was AFC Ludlow who looked the more dangerous in the second half and almost took the lead within 10 minutes.

Dale Hodge's header was cleared off the line before Gavin Podmore dragged the follow-up wide.

Elliot Body had a half-chance of opening the scoring for Bartestree 15 minutes from time, but his effort lacked any real power, before Avery was sent off four minutes later.

That gave the away side the initiative to push for the winner, but Bartestree held firm to earn the draw.