MANNY Williams failed to score from the penalty spot for the first time in his career as Basingstoke Town dropped two points against 10-man Concord Rangers.

Town struggled to break down a resolute Concord side following the first-half dismissal of visiting striker Joe Gardner, but they were thrown a lifeline 10 minutes from time, when Matt Fry bundled Liam Enver-Marum over just inside the area.

Williams stepped up to take the kick, but he fired his effort from 12 yards way over the crossbar, the ball actually clearing the sizeable wall behind the goal at The Clubhouse End of The Soccer AM Stadium.

The miss summed up a frustrating afternoon for the hosts, who created enough clear chances to win several games in the first half, but were left to rue some sloppy finishing.

They should have been out of sight before Gardner was sent off after appearing to elbow Rob Dickie five minutes before the break. Having gone down to 10 men, the visitors clearly settled for a point, getting men behind the ball and defending deep.

Concord are a big side, so Town were unable to get any joy from putting crosses into the box, while a heavy and uneven playing surface made it difficult to pass the ball around them.

Basingstoke made one change to the side that had lost to Bishop’s Stortford a week earlier, bringing Williams in for Robbie Rice and switching from a 3-5-2 formation to a midfield diamond.

They should have gone ahead with just two minutes on the clock as the hosts capitalised on Concord’s high defensive line, Williams running through on goal. He squared for Chris Flood, who seemed to have a tap-in, but he failed to find the open part of the goal, firing against the legs of ’keeper Josh Vickers.

The game was extremely open in the early stages, with both sides having chances. Nathan Smart made a really brave block to prevent Concord’s Gary Ogilvie getting a shot on goal, while Steve King went close from the resulting corner.

Smart also escaped half-hearted claims for a penalty, while Stuart Moore had to be alert to keep out Taylor Miles’ effort, but the better chances were falling to the hosts.

Again they capitalised on Concord’s high defensive line, with Enver-Marum latching on to a pass over the top, but he took the ball wide and his effort from an acute angle was saved by Vickers.

Flood was next to beat the offside trap, latching onto Louie Soares’ pass, but Fry made a good challenge.

Town were well on top at this point and Smart’s ball over the top put Enver-Marum in down the right. He picked out Williams with a low centre, but the ball seemed to bobble and Williams totally missed his kick. Flood picked up the pieces, but he was off balance and couldn’t get his shot on target.

Gardner looked Concord’s most likely source of a goal and he had a couple of chances, firing over after one good run and seeing Moore save another effort soon after.

Town were inches away from grabbing the lead on 38 minutes. Williams did well down the left before passing for Flood and he beat two defenders before firing in a shot that Vickers did well to save.

However, the rebound fell back to Flood, who was stretching and was really unlucky to see his effort cannon back off the crossbar.

Dickie also went close immediately afterwards, Vickers keeping out his effort from a narrow angle.

Gardner received his marching orders on 40 minutes and there was time for one final chance before the break, great interplay between Williams and Flood resulting in King surviving an appeal for handball as his slid in to block Flood’s centre.

Concord’s mindset clearly changed after the break, with Town struggling to break them down throughout the second half.

They created very little in the early moments of the half and it was Concord who created a couple of half-chances, Lewis Taaffe and Taylor Miles firing over from distance.

Tom Bird nearly embarrassed the impressive Vickers just before the hour, his attempted cross almost creeping under the crossbar, but chances were few and far between.

Even a double change from Town manager Jason Bristow failed to alter the pattern of the game, but Fry’s clumsy challenge handed them a golden chance to take all three points.

Williams was unable to take it and while the hosts piled on the pressure in the closing stages, throwing more and more players forward, they were unable to find a way through.

The best opportunity fell to Enver-Marum, who latched on to James Harper’s pass but shot too close to Vickers. The goalkeeper didn’t deal with it particularly well, but he did enough to get the ball over the crossbar.

David Ray caused some problems after being sent forward in the closing stages. His nod down was cut out just before it reached Enver-Marum, while he also cushioned the ball down for Harper, whose effort from the edge of the area took a deflection and was saved by Vickers.

The draw saw Town slip to sixth in the Vanarama Conference South. They are now six points behind leaders Bromley, having played a game more, but remain very much in contention for a place in the play-offs.

Basingstoke are in action again tomorrow night, hosting beaten FA Trophy semi-finalists Bath City at The Soccer AM Stadium.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 7 (out of 10)

Didn’t have much to do. Didn’t always look comfortable handling balls into the area but made the saves he needed to make.

Nathan Smart – 8
 

Got a lot of joy down the right flank in the first half, linking up well with the forwards. Solid defensively as well.

Tom Bird – 7

Not really troubled defensively, but he didn’t have his normal effect on the game going forward.

James Harper – 7

Worked hard and tried to get Town going from his deep position.

Rob Dickie – 7

Another solid game from the youngster, who will remain at The Soccer AM Stadium for a further month after his loan deal was extended.

David Ray – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

Made several important blocks and challenges at the back and looked a real threat when thrown forward late on.

Louie Soares – 6

Played some nice stuff in the first half but struggled after the break.

Shaun McAuley – 6

Like midfield partner Soares, he did well before half-time, but struggled with the surface and Concord’s tactics after the break, giving the ball away too often.

Liam Enver-Marum – 6

Pretty quiet in general and failed to make the most of two good chances that fell his way.

Chris Flood – 6

Really lively in the first half and unlucky to hit the crossbar, but he really should have scored early on and was marked out of the game after the break.

Manny Williams – 6

Probably Town’s best player in the first half, but like the rest of the attackers, he was frustrated after the break. His penalty was really poor.

SUBSTITUTES

Simon Dunn (for McAuley 72mins) – 6

Busy and lively, but couldn’t break down Concord’s massed ranks.

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 72mins) – 6

Barely touched the ball. With so little space, Nicholas Bignall may have been a better bet coming off the bench.

Subs (not used): Jenkinson, Rice, Bignall

Concord Rangers: Vickers, Walker, Lampe, Ogilvie (sub Cawley 65min), King, Fry, Gardner, White, Taaffe (sub Stokes 84min), Collins, Miles (sub Dowie 68min)

Subs (not used): Buckley, Elmes

Attendance: 486

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