EXTRA-TIME goals from Liam Enver-Marum, Lloyd Macklin and Simon Dunn secured Basingstoke Town’s passage through to the FA Cup First Round at the end of a dramatic match at Harrow Borough.

Visiting Town were the better side throughout last night’s match and deserved to progress in the competition, but the final scoreline was harsh on a brave and determined Harrow side.

It was a fantastic cup tie that had almost everything. Both teams did their best to attack at every opportunity and while Town bossed possession, some excellent defending and goalkeeping ensured that Harrow remained very much in the game until the final minute of extra-time.

Basingstoke fielded the same team that had started the initial tie at the Soccer AM Stadium three days earlier and after a quiet opening, Shaun McAuley had the first shot of the match, forcing Harrow goalkeeper Nick Jupp into a flying save with a well-struck effort from distance.

The visitors then survived a scare at the back as Marc Charles-Smith was allowed to flick the ball on at the near post, but it was Town who took the lead on the 15 minute mark.

Left-back Tom Bird found himself in space on the left side of the area and his driven ball across the face of goal was stabbed home from close range by Jamie Brown.

Town were pretty much in control and had two good chances to double their lead around the half-hour mark. Enver-Marum failed to direct Nathan Smart’s cross on target when left unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, while Chris Flood blasted over when Enver-Marum cut the ball back to him.

They were made to pay for their failure to take these chances three minutes before half-time. Town failed to deal with a free-kick into the area and in the ensuing scramble, the hosts hit the post, but Charles-Smith was on hand to smash home the rebound.

The same player could have put Harrow ahead in added time, but David Ray put the striker under just enough pressure to make him head wide.

Basingstoke made a really bright start to the second period but found it hard to break down a dogged Harrow defence in the early stages.

Bird was proving to be their main threat and he curled a fine shot narrowly wide before winning his side a penalty when Jake Gilbert cleared him out as he looked to run on to Simon Dunn’s excellent pass. Flood stepped up to take the kick but Harrow goalkeeper Nick Jupp guessed right and made an outstanding save.

The visitors continued to press, with Brown heading a corner wide, Louie Soares denied by an excellent last-ditch challenge and Enver-Marum going close on three occasions, being denied by another fine save from Jupp in injury-time.

Despite being under pressure, Harrow so nearly won the game with almost the final kick. A break resulted in Nik Salapatas finding himself through on goal, but the winger failed to hit the target with just Stuart Moore to beat.

Extra-time was needed, but it only took Town five minutes of the additional period to go ahead. Enver-Marum beat the offside trap and when Jupp started to leave his goal, the striker took the opportunity to lob the ball over him and into the net.

The hosts had a big shout for a penalty waved away when Jay Gasson and Spencer Bellotti went down in a heap, while at the other end, Enver-Marum was twice denied by terrific saves from Jupp.

Harrow threw more and more men forward in the second period of extra-time – and it almost paid off, Moore making a fantastic save to keep out Ben Long’s deflected effort.

However, it wasn’t to be for the hosts and Town scored twice in the dying moments to put a bit of extra gloss on the result.

A long kick forward from Moore put Macklin in the clear and he lifted the ball over Jupp before stroking it into the empty net, and minutes later, Dunn was given time and space to pick his spot from 10 yards.

The win earned Town £12,500 in prize money and a home tie against Conference strugglers AFC Telford United in the first round on November 8.

Click here to watch a post-match interview with Basingstoke Town manager Jason Bristow

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 8 (out of 10)

No chance with the goal and made a crucial save with Town leading 2-1 in extra-time.

Nathan Smart – 7

Solid defensively and a threat going forward.

Tom Bird – 9 (Gazette Star Man)

An outstanding display. Kept the dangerous Nik Salapatas very quiet and posed numerous problems going forward, setting up the first goal and winning a penalty.

Louie Soares – 8

A quietly effective display. Rarely gave the ball away and caused problems with his direct running.

Jay Gasson – 6

Didn’t have his best game. Conceded possession too often, gave away the free-kick that led to the Harrow goal and generally looked a little shaky.

David Ray – 7

Solid as ever at the back.

Jamie Brown – 7

Scored his first goal for the club and did a decent job of protecting the back four. Distribution still a little lacking.

Shaun McAuley – 6

A quiet game for the livewire midfielder.

Liam Enver-Marum – 8

A threat throughout the game and especially impressive in extra-time. Took his goal really well.

Chris Flood – 6

Not really able to get into the game as he would have liked. Saw his penalty excellently saved.

Simon Dunn – 8

Bright and inventive throughout. Slotted home calmly to make the game safe.

SUBSTITUTES

James Harper (for McAuley 83min) – 8

A calming influence throughout extra-time. Kept possession expertly.

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 86min) – 8

Caused problems with his pace and took his goal well.

Andrew Jenkinson (for Enver-Marum 107min) – 6

Brought on to shore up the midfield in the closing stages.

Subs (not used): Owusu, Hallahan, Blackwell, Stubbs.

Harrow Borough: Jupp, Gilbert (sub Bellotti 98min), Smith, Hope, Otira, Sonuga, Salapatas (sub Debattista 105min), Odametey, Charles-Smith, Long, Bryan (sub Noel 115min). Subs (not used): Vickers, Dyer, Horlock.

Attendance: 380