Banstead Athletic's fine run of form continued as they claimed a valuable point against high-flying Chertsey Town that has seen them edge closer to securing their Combined Counties Premier League status.

Although the home side fielded a weakend side, Banstead were well worth their point after Gavin Quintyne's penalty had cancelled out Dean Papali's well-taken opener.

Athletic are now unbeaten in six games and lie fourth in the form table playing a brand of football that belies their league position.

Over 100 travelling fans entered Alwyn's Lane expecting a battering from a team that are harbouring loftier ambitions at the top of the table, and although the football wasn't always the prettiest to watch, Banstead held their own and nulified most of Chertsey's attacks.

The home side did come flying out the blocks and were celebrating the first goal after just eight minutes when Papali coolly finished after a looping cross was missed by Banstead keeper Paul Brady.

Chertsey continued to pour forward in search of the killer second goal and missed several golden opportunities, but it was Banstead who scored next and turned the game on its head.

On the stroke of half time the A's were awarded a penalty when Zak Graham was brought down in the area and Quintyne calmly dispatched the spot-kick to give the away side an unlikely lifeline at the interval.

The second half pitted Chertsey's fluid attacking game against Banstead's more defensive brand of football and ,while Brady made a string of fine saves, Tom O'Rearden missed a guilt-edged chance for the home side when he blazed over from close range in the closing moments.

Banstead have now taken four points from Chertsey this season and, although the second-half performance resembled something out the Alamo, it is a result that might just define their season.

Team: Brady, Frimpong, Patterson, Jelley, Davidson, Hawkins, Chalke, Quintyne, Graham, Patter-Bohner, Cole-Bolt, subs used: Bogul, Dilloway, Sammut, not used: Wallace, Dewer