GOALKEEPER Stuart Moore pulled off a string of excellent saves to help earn Basingstoke Town a point from their trip to St Albans City.

The visitors were distinctly second-best during the first half and while they trailed at the break, they would have gone in three or four goals down were it not for some excellent work from the on-loan Reading goalkeeper.

An excellent cross from Nathan Smart resulted in Manny Williams levelling with Basingstoke’s first effort on target early in the second half. In general, the game was more even after the break, but Moore remained the busier goalkeeper and left the field to a heartfelt round of applause from the Town supporters who had made the trip to Hertfordshire.

It’s the second game in a row where Moore has produced a man-of-the-match display, earning his side four valuable points in the Vanarama Conference South title race.

Bearing in mind the fact that Town have not played particularly well in either game, it’s a good return, and they remain fourth in the table, but manager Jason Bristow will be looking for a better performance when his side visit Maidenhead United tomorrow night.

Bristow was able to name an unchanged side for Saturday’s game, but it was mid-table St Albans who got off to a much better start.

The Town defence found themselves under pressure in the first minute, Rob Dickie hacking Jamal Lowe’s low centre behind for a corner. The flag-kick was played short, catching Town napping, and they were lucky to survive as the ball bounced around in the area.

The hosts had chosen to kick down the pronounced slope during the first half and made good use of this advantage, playing the ball into the feet of striker John Frendo, who did an excellent job of controlling the ball, holding off defenders with his back to goal and bringing team-mates into play.

Once in the attacking third, they got plenty of men forward, penning Town in and forcing them into hurried clearances up the slope towards an isolated Liam Enver-Marum.

When Basingstoke were in possession, they found themselves under immediate pressure, which prevented them playing out from the back, forcing them into more long balls.

The hosts continued to create chances, with Dickie making a good block to deny Sam Corcoran and Moore making his first save of a busy afternoon, diving full length to tip Lowe’s curling shot around the post.

St Albans got the goal their early dominance deserved after 13 minutes. David Ray gave the ball away on halfway and Frendo, who looked suspiciously offside, was played in. He lacked the pace to get through on goal but he pulled the ball back for Corcoran on the edge of the area.

He let fly, but shot too close to Moore. However, the rebound broke kindly for the midfielder, who managed to squeeze a shot between two defenders and beyond Moore to open the scoring.

Things nearly got worse for Town two minutes after they went behind, James Harper hacking off his own line to save Louie Soares the embarrassment of an own goal, while Moore made another acrobatic save to keep out Steve Wales’ bicycle kick.

The visitors’ only real chance of the first half fell to Shaun McAuley, who got up well to meet Tom Bird’s corner but could failed to get enough on his header, glancing the ball wide.

At the other end, Moore was called into action three more times before the end of the half. He did just enough to keep out James Kaloczi’s downward header, the ball flicking the top of the crossbar on its way over, before making another save from Corcoran’s low shot and spreading himself well to deny Frendo a tap-in.

Playing up the slope in the second half, St Albans adopted a more cautious approach, but they had the first opportunity after the break, Lowe firing a low shot straight at Moore.

Town levelled with their first effort on target on 51 minutes. The goal came at the end of their best period of possession, the ball being worked out to Smart. He had time to curl the perfect cross to the far post, where Williams was on hand to sweep it beyond home goalkeeper Joe Welch.

They almost grabbed the lead through the same route minutes later. Again Smart curled an inch-perfect cross to the far post, but Chris Flood was unable to keep his header down, the ball flying over the crossbar.

Seconds later and it was St Albans’ turn to go close, Moore making a reaction save as the ball bounced around in the six-yard box and then making another stop to keep out Lowe’s angled shot.

Harper fired in a shot from distance as Town enjoyed a spell of pressure, but it was too close to Welch, while Bird fired narrowly wide and Enver-Marum forced the goalkeeper into a sharp stop at his near post.

St Albans continued to cause problems as well, with the ball fizzing across the face of goal at one point, while a Dickie clearance rebounded off Smart and into the side netting.

McAuley also went close from a free-kick, Welch getting across to tip his effort wide of the near post. McAuley also put in a good pass for Enver-Marum, but it was only really a half-chance and his header from the edge of the area drifted wide as both teams had to settle for a point.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 9 (out of 10) (Gazette Star Man)

Another outstanding display. Made four or five top-class saves to keep his side in the game.

Nathan Smart – 7

Lowe gave him some problems defensively, but his centre for Williams’ goal was absolutely fantastic.

Tom Bird – 7

Unable to get forward as much as usual but good defensively. St Albans had very little joy down their right flank.

James Harper – 6

Unable to have much of an impact as the game bypassed him.

Rob Dickie – 8

A really good performance. Dealt really well with the St Albans’ bombardment, making several crucial blocks and interceptions.

David Ray – 6

Struggled to get to grips with Frendo and it was his mistake that led to the St Albans goal. Recovered well though, making some important headers.

Louie Soares – 6

Never really involved. Starved of the ball and found life difficult on a tricky surface.

Shaun McAuley – 7

Barely had a kick in the first half but improved after the break, making a couple of telling contributions.

Liam Enver-Marum – 7

Worked hard to provide his teammates with an out ball. Frustrated for long periods but caused some problems down the left flank near the end of the game.

Chris Flood – 6

Forced to spend a lot of time helping out in midfield. Unable to have much of an impact on the game.

Manny Williams – 7

Another of Town’s midfielders to have a quiet game, but he took his goal really well.

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 68min) – 6

Brought on to pose a threat in behind the St Albans defence, but didn’t get a chance to shine.

Andrew Jenkinson (for Soares 84min) – 6

Helped to shore up midfield in the closing minutes.

Pat Cox (for Williams 89min) – 6

Not enough time to make a difference.

Subs (not used): Rice, Case

St Albans City: Welch, Hill, Chappell, Beckles, Locke, Gayle, Kaloczi, Corcoran, Frendo (sub Soetan 90min), Wales (sub Malcolm 71min), Lowe

Subs (not used): Gorman, Taylor, Keenleyside

Attendance: 608

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