THERE was plenty of effort and endeavour but very little goalmouth action as Gosport Borough and Basingstoke Town met for the third time in the space of seven days.

Having already met twice in the FA Trophy during the preceding week, there was always a risk that Saturday’s game at Privett Park could turn into something of a chess match, and so it proved.

Both sides knew pretty much how the other team was likely to play, making for a cagey affair, with not enough quality shown in the final third.

Town made just one change to the side that had played really well but lost an FA Trophy replay at the same ground four days earlier, with the injured Manny Williams replaced by new signing Pat Cox.

Gosport manager Alex Pike made three alterations in an effort to freshen up his side and they got off to a positive start. Tom Dunford tested Town goalkeeper Stuart Moore from distance and the visiting stopper had to make a good save to keep out home captain Sam Pearce’s header soon after.

Louie Soares and David Ray also made important challenges to halt dangerous moves, but the visitors were able to weather the storm and take a foothold in the match.

Good work from Cox set Town off on the break, but Nathan Smart’s cross just evaded Soares in the middle, while Ray glanced a header narrowly wide from Soares’ centre.

Basingstoke were forced into a change just before the half-hour mark as Chris Flood left the field with an injury, his place being taken by Lloyd Macklin.

Moore produced a good save to keep out Mike Carter’s shot from the edge of the area, while some nice play from Town led to McAuley firing a low shot just wide.

Gosport ended the half on top, with Brett Poate clipping the outside of the post from a free-kick, Justin Bennett firing into the side-netting and Moore coming off his line quickly to deny Lee Wort.

There were even fewer chances after the break. Wort glanced a header wide and Macklin sliced a shot well off target early on, while Carter went reasonably close, his low effort through a crowded area flashing past the post.

Town looked more likely in the closing stages though. Bird was only just beaten to Andrew Jenkinson’s through-ball by home goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore, while Macklin was hauled down as he looked to race on to substitute Sam Argent’s pass.

The visitors’ best chance fell to Soares with four minutes to play. Argent and Macklin combined well to put the midfielder through, but he dragged his shot across the face of goal.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 7 (out of 10)

Made one good save early on, but rarely troubled thereafter.

Nathan Smart – 7

Energetic as ever and put in a couple of decent crosses.

Tom Bird – 7

Not as involved as he would have liked but a strong presence down the Town left.

Ryan Case – 8

Continues to impress on the left side of a back three.

Robbie Rice – 8

Helped to keep Gosport’s dangerous strikers quiet.

David Ray – 9 (Gazette Star Man)

Seems to really enjoy playing in the middle of a back three. Made several vital headers and challenges as Town kept a good clean sheet.

Andrew Jenkinson – 8

Survived a shaky start to put in another strong display in front of the defence. Tactically disciplined and kept Town ticking over going forward with some good passes.

Shaun McAuley – 7

Covered a lot of ground and involved in many of Basingstoke’s most promising moves.

Pat Cox – 6

Worked hard to close down the defenders and looks a decent option as a target man, but not really a threat in the Gosport area.

Chris Flood – 6

Seemed to be struggling with his injury from the start and unable to get into the game.

Louie Soares – 6

Got into some decent positions but his final ball was lacking.

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 27min) – 7

Struggled to get into the game at times but his pace caused a few problems.

Jamie Brown (for McAuley 71min) – 6

Helped to protect the defence in the closing stages.

Sam Argent (for Cox 80min) – 7

A really impressive cameo. Made himself available to receive the ball on the half-turn and helped to create a couple of decent opportunities.

Subs (not used): Harper, Smalley.

Gosport Borough: Ashmore, Muleba, Williams, Carter, Poate, Pearce, Dunford, Wooden (sub Wilde 90+2min), Paterson, Bennett, Wort (sub Smith 86min). Subs (not used): Molyneaux, Saez, Ramsey.

Attendance: 515