PETERSFIELD Town’s goalkeeper Matt Shortt played through the pain barrier to ensure his side came away with a point from their first game in the Evo-Stik League Southern Division 1 Central.

The popular keeper felt something snap in his ankle during the first half of Saturday’s game at AFC?Rushden and Diamonds.

He ignored the advice of club physio Claire Bennett to come off and played for the remaining hour of the game, producing a number of fine saves to ensure the Rams returned home with a 1-1 draw.

However, a visit to hospital on Sunday confirmed he has ligament damage and a suspected fracture of his ankle, and he now faces up to a month out injured.

Shortt said: “I felt my ankle go straight away. I felt something snap but wanted to play through the pain to get what we deserved.

“When Claire said I had to come off I was having none of it as I wanted to finish our first game in Southern League football.

“I?am absolutely gutted I am out now and I?will be getting back as soon as I can.” Shortt felt Petersfield were unlucky not to return south with all three points after they took the lead through Stuart Green’s goal just before the hour mark.

He added: “I thought the game was really good. We started off a bit shaky but I think when the nerves settled we were right at it and unfortunate not to get all three points.”