Sholing arrived at the SaveOnTyres Stadium sitting in 3rd place in the league and looking to make up ground on AFC Totton and Frome who were not playing league fixtures on Saturday.
In the event they had to be satisfied with a point after a resolute display from the home side.
A bumper crowd of 183 saw an even first half with few chances the best of which fell to Sholing's Bradley Targett who completely fluffed his lines when in one on one with home keeper Connor Johns. Ryan Gosney tipped over a Highworth header shortly after but an even 1st half ended goalless.
The second half was a different story in terms of goalmouth incident. On 48 minutes Highworth were initially awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area for a clear foul on Ash Edenborough. The intervention of the adjacent assistant referee however soon saw referee Lewis Sandoe change this penalty as he deemed the challenge clearly inside the box. Edenborough duly converted the spot kick beating Gosney high to his right. Highworth could have double their lead straight away as Gosney saved another Edenborough effort with his legs. Sholing pushed on and Johns made fine low save to his right to keep Highworth ahead.
Sholing's equaliser on 61 mins came with a tad of fortune as Targett's shot from the corner of the penalty box took a big deflection to take the ball up and over Johns and in off the underside of the bar. Dan Comer made a goal line clearance and Johns then made further fine saves to keep the scores level as Sholing dominated but the home side could have taken all 3 points when, in added time, a misplaced backpass to Gosney found Felipe Barcelos on the angle 12 yards out but his effort rolled narrowly wide of the far post.
All in all a fair result and a much improved performance from Highworth after their poor second half effort last week.
Next fixture : Saturday 1st January 2022, 3.00 pm ko versus Cirencester Town at the SaveOnTyres Stadium.

A Happy and safe Christmas to all and hopefully better things to come for us all next year.