The hosts started positively after the ball was pumped over the head of Ben Amghar for Shane Cooper-Clark to latch on to. The striker turned before firing his effort wide of the far-post.

Lewis Coyle’s free-kick floated over the defence to the back post for the incoming Gareth Thomas. The defender rose to beat his man but his header was inches away from giving the hosts the lead.

Street then took advantage from a similar position. Jamie Short’s free-kick just inside the Thatcham half drifted onto the penalty spot for McErlain, who directed his header over Chris Rackley to hand the visitors the lead early on.

The Kingfishers took control of possession after falling behind and ramped up the pressure on the Street back four.

But it was the away side that came closest to doubling the score midway into the half after Short found himself one-on-one with Rackley. His low shot was saved well by the goalkeeper before the ball was floated back into the area to find Phil Omarod on the six-yard box, but his header went just wide of the post.

Thatcham continued to fight their way back into the game and were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area in the final moments of the half, but Jahson Downes effort was blocked by the Street wall.

As the referee blew the whistle to signal half-time, a scuffle ensued between both sets of players, leaving Shane Mansfield with no choice but to book a player on each side heading into the break.

The greens restricted the Kingfishers throughout the second period, allowing them little time or space to mount a breaking attack.

With shots lacking for both sides throughout the half, one of the closest efforts fell to Street on the 73rd minute. Matt Hurley broke down the right before swinging his cross into the box but the midfielder almost found the net as the ball struck the bar before going out for a goal kick.

Thatcham gained control towards the dying minutes of the match and almost gained a late equaliser. The ball fell to substitute Josh Helmore on the edge of the penalty area but his first-time effort went just wide of the post.

George Jeacock broke through the visitors’ defence in the 92nd minute before providing a sizzling ball across the face of the goal, but there wasn’t anybody in space to finish the chance.