CONOR Lynch marked his Basingstoke Town debut with a goal which earned them a 1-1 draw against visiting Willand Rovers.

Captain Dean Stow was suspended for the game, so Ryan Suckling came into the defence and the trio of players who picked-up knocks against Thatcham, George Hallahan, Ben Cook and Simon Dunn, who took over the captain’s armband were all passed fit.

The visitors had the first chance of the game with Dean Stamp firing wide.

Unfortunately for the home side midfielder Dunn was forced out of the action due to injury after 10 minutes and was replaced by D’Andre Brown, so Claudio Herbert took over as captain.

Craig Veal scored for Willand Rovers on 21 minutes after a ball over the top.

Two minutes before half-time Town had the ball in the net from Lynch, after a Suckling flick on, but it is ruled offside.

Soon after, a George Hallahan pass to Herbert sees the new captain send in a ball across the face of goal, but no one can get the vital touch.

Just 10 minutes into the second-half and Lynch got his reward as he beat the Willand goalkeeper Mike Searle one-on-one.

The goal spurs on the home side, who now have the upper hand and look the more likely to score a winner.

However, there are few clear cut chances with an Adam Everiss free-kick, which went just wide the closest they got, as the game ended 1-1.

With bottom side Barnstaple also drawing on Saturday 0-0 to visiting Sholing, it is as you were at the basement with the Dragons two points clear of their Devon rivals.

On Tuesday night, Town are in action again at Winchester City, when they take on new Southern League Division One leaders Thatcham Town.