REPORT AND PLAYER RATINGS - Basingstoke Town 2-2 Gosport Borough

For the second game in a row, Town were twice pegged back by their visitors and the draw means that the sides will play each other three times in the space of seven days as they are also due to play in the Vanarama Conference South on Saturday.

The hosts went into the game without several players. Midfielder Jamie Brown was unable to play against his former club due to suspension, while captain Jay Gasson, midfielder Simon Dunn and striker Liam Enver-Marum all missed out due to injury.

Manager Jason Bristow opted for a 3-5-2 formation, with Robbie Rice and Ryan Case flanking David Ray at the back and Nathan Smart and Tom Bird operating as wing-backs. There was a slight surprise in midfield, with Shaun McAuley dropping to the bench and Louie Soares, James Harper and Andrew Jenkinson forming the central trio.

Gosport carved out an early chance as Steve Ramsey bustled his way past Case before failing to hit the target from a narrow angle, while home goalkeeper Stuart Moore made a smart save to deny Tom Dunford from the edge of the area.

Slightly against the run of play, Town took the lead after 14 minutes.

Soares did well to rob Dan Smith on halfway and with several Gosport players committed forward, the midfielder had a clear run at the back four. He timed his pass well, putting Manny Williams in down the left side of the area and his low centre was inadvertently converted by Gosport defender Brett Poate for an own goal.

Bird’s shot from distance caused Gosport goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore problems as Town looked to extend their lead, but the visitors pulled level with 24 minutes on the clock.

A clever scoop over the top had Matt Paterson in behind the home defence and when Smart bundled into the back of him, referee Christopher O’Donnell had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Smart was fortunate not to even receive a yellow card for the challenge when he could have been seen as denying the Gosport striker a clear goalscoring opportunity, but Justin Bennett smashed home the penalty to level the game.

Gosport enjoyed plenty of possession for the rest of the half, but they struggled to break down a resolute Town defence. The hosts sat deep, allowing Gosport to have possession in their own half and getting men behind the ball.

The visitors did the opposite, pressing high up the pitch and making it hard for Basingstoke to play the ball out. However, when they managed to break through, they were able to create opportunities.

Bird’s low centre caused massive problems among the Gosport defence, while at the other end, Moore had to make a really good save to prevent Paterson finding the net from just outside the area.

The visitors were enjoying more possession and territory, but it was Town who created the better opportunities, with Ashmore keeping out Soares’ low shot at the near post and Chris Flood flicking a corner wide. The best chance also fell to Flood just before half-time, the striker running on to Jenkinson’s exceptional through-ball to go through one-on-one with Ashmore, but he dragged his shot wide.

The second half began in the same way the first had ended, with Gosport pressing but Town looking dangerous on the break. Flood and Smart failed to make the most of decent positions, while Soares shot wide. Gosport only really threatened from distance, with Poate, Dunford and Paterson all getting shots in without really worrying Moore.

Town edged back in front with 12 minutes remaining. Gosport right-back Lee Molyneaux failed to deal with Rice’s crossfield pass, allowing Soares to pick up the ball and battle his way past two challenges into the area, with Gosport’s claims that he had handled waved away by referee O’Donnell.

Soares’ run was eventually ended by goalkeeper Ashmore, who made a good block, but substitute Lloyd Macklin was on hand to poke the loose ball home.

However, the lead lasted just four minutes. Soares gave away a soft free-kick in a dangerous area and Adam Wilde’s ball into the area was met by Bennett, whose header looped over Moore and into the net.

The visitors could and should have won the game with just two minutes left, Lee Wort failing to make any contact when he looked odds-on to convert Wilde’s low centre, while Dunford fired straight at Moore in injury-time.

Bristow was pleased with the way his side dealt with the threat posed to them by in-form Gosport.

“We thought a lot about how to go about the game and managed to nulify a lot of their threat,” he said. “We didn't really let them get into areas where they were hurting us and kept our discipline.

“It’s disappointing that we let the lead slip, like we did last week. That’s something to work on, but we did some good things with the ball and created a few opportunities. It’s just unfortunate that we could not hold on at the end.”

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 7 (out of 10)

Didn’t have much chance with either of the goals and made a couple of good saves.

Nathan Smart – 6

Got up and down the right flank well but perhaps lucky to remain on the pitch after his clumsy challenge gave away a penalty.

Tom Bird – 7

A threat when he was able to get into crossing positions.

Ryan Case – 8

An impressive full debut. Got off to a shaky start but didn’t put a foot wrong after the first five minutes.

Robbie Rice – 7

A solid afternoon on the right side of the back three.

David Ray – 7

Another steady performance at the heart of the Town defence.

James Harper – 7

Made a couple of important interceptions and rarely conceded possession. Continues to improve.

Andrew Jenkinson – 8

Justified the manager’s decision to keep him in the side by working hard and playing some fine through-balls.

Louie Soares – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

Had a big hand in both goals (no pun intended) and Basingstoke’s most potent threat going forward.

Chris Flood – 6

Worked hard but failed to make the most of his one real chance, shooting wide when through one-on-one.

Manny Williams – 7

Worked exceptionally hard to close down the Gosport defenders. His low centre set up the opening goal.

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 69min) – 7

Didn’t get much chance to shine but showed good predatory instinct to score the second goal.

Subs (not used): McAuley, Argent, Charlick, Smalley.

Gosport Borough: Ashmore, Molyneux, Williams, Carter, Poate, Pearce, Dunford, Smith, Paterson, Bennett (sub Wort 86min), Ramsey (sub Wilde 69min). Subs (not used): Saez-Ferre, Wooden, Shaw.

Attendance: 290