Badshot Lea manager Gavin Smith was pleased with his side’s performance after they drew 1-1 at Metropolitan Police in the Isthmian League South Central Division on Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies fell behind in the 59th minute through Jamal Sharpe’s smart finish, but Kareem Akinnibi’s glancing header from Callum Wiltshire’s cross on 78 minutes earned the visitors a point.

The Baggies nearly found a winner, but Nick Medcraft’s effort hit the crossbar.

Smith was pleased with what he saw, and feels there is plenty for his side to build on.

“We always look at the performance first – and the performance was good,” he said.

“We got into some good positions to create chances, and Callum was absolutely superb filling in at left centre-half.

“It was also good for Kareem to get his goal – there were loads of positives to build on.”

The Baggies received a blow before kick-off on Saturday when midfielder Kai Allsopp withdrew from the starting line-up with an injury.

“Kai has been managing a hamstring injury and he said it felt tight in the warm-up,” said Smith. “He did the right thing by dropping out.”

Youngster Ben Thompson came off the bench for his first-team debut, and Smith was pleased with his efforts.

“Ben put himself about when he came on and put in a good cross – he gives us another option,” said Smith.

The Baggies entertain Guernsey in the Isthmian League South Central Division on Saturday (2pm), before hosting Chipstead in the fourth round of the Velocity Cup next Tuesday night (January 16).