BASINGSTOKE Town’s Vanarama Conference South play-off semi-final against Whitehawk is delicately poised going into Saturday’s second leg at The Soccer AM Stadium.

Chris Flood put Town in front 11 minutes into last night’s first leg on the south coast, but the visitors needed a string of fine saves from goalkeeper Stuart Moore to keep them ahead at the break.

Their stubborn resistance was finally broken early in the second half, Jake Robinson heading home to level, but Whitehawk were unable to push on and win the game, leaving the tie on a knife-edge.

A draw is a result that both sides probably would have accepted prior to the match. They are both very much in the tie, with Saturday’s game becoming a one-off, winner-takes-all affair.

However, each team may also be looking back on the game with a slight tinge of regret.

Town did take the lead, and while they were on the back foot for long periods, they might feel that they could have held on to take an advantage back to The Soccer AM Stadium.

Whitehawk possibly missed a trick. They were unfortunate not to score in the first half, creating several good shooting opportunities, but Moore and some good defending kept them out.

When they did level, just five minutes into the second half, it looked set to be a long final 40 minutes for the visitors. At first, Whitehawk piled on the pressure, pinning Town back for a 15-minute spell.

However, they were unable to trouble Moore and seemed to run out of ideas, taking their foot off the pedal and allowing Basingstoke to get back into the game.

Had they continued to press, there’s a chance that they could have put the tie out of Town’s reach, or at least given themselves an advantage to take into the second leg. As it is, they still have every chance of reaching the final, but they will have to win a game away from home to do so.

The game got off to a cagey start, with the sides feeling each other out. Whitehawk enjoyed more possession and territory, with John-Paul Kissock curling a shot wide from distance, but Town hit them on the break to take the lead with 11 minutes on the clock.

Tom Bird intercepted a stray pass and played a ball over the top for Flood to chase. The striker was very much second favourite, with Lee Hills having two opportunities to clear the danger, but the full-back hesitated, allowing Flood to hook a volley over home goalkeeper Craig Ross from the edge of the area.

Rob Dickie nearly doubled the lead soon after, getting up to meet Louie Soares’ cross at the near post, but his header floated narrowly wide.

The hosts were on top, pinning Town in their own half, but they continued to try and score the perfect goal, looking to play intricate passes around the visitors’ defence.

Basingstoke had their tactics spot on, playing three centre-backs to restrict the space in and around the area, with two physical holding midfielders in Jamie Brown and James Harper patrolling just in front.

They were also very disciplined, getting 11 men behind the ball at times, with their strikers tracking the runs of the Whitehawk full-backs.

The hosts forged their first real chance on 27 minutes, when Sam Deering broke into the box before squaring for Scott Neilson. Moore was a spectator, but Bird was on hand to clear off the line, with a follow-up effort from Robinson flying wide.

More hesitation in the Whitehawk defence gave Lloyd Macklin a chance to double the lead, getting in front of Osei Sankofa to get on the end of another ball over the top. Fortunately for the hosts, Ross was off his line quickly, blocking Macklin’s attempt to lift the ball over him with his chest.

As the half drew to a close, Whitehawk began to really pile on the pressure. Moore made a decent save to keep out Deering’s effort from distance and also kept out Robinson’s effort from a free-kick.

The Town goalkeeper made an even better stop to deny Robinson for a second time, showing great reactions to deny the striker from Nick Arnold’s low cross.

Robinson must have been sick of the sight of Moore by this point – and the ’keeper denied him again in the final minute of the first half, before blocking a follow-up effort with his legs.

The hosts had the advantage of shooting down the pronounced slope after the break, but it was Town who went close first, Marvin Hamilton almost slicing the ball into his own net.

Moore was called into action again on 49 minutes, tipping Deering’s shot over the crossbar, but he could do nothing to prevent Whitehawk levelling less than a minute later.

The resulting corner was only cleared as far as Neilson, who was afforded the time to put an inch-perfect cross into the area, with Robinson losing his marker to plant home an excellent header.

At this point, the hosts looked set to go on and win the game, but again Basingstoke defended strongly to keep them out, making a string of vital blocks and challenges.

Moore was only threatened once and even then, Deering’s shot from distance was straight down his throat.

As the game progressed, it became more and more even, with both sides seemingly happy to settle for the draw. Flood got a shot on target from a dangerous free-kick, but Ross was never in trouble, while Town continued to marshal their own area well, denying the hosts the chance to shoot.

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 

Back to his best. Commanded his area, made two especially fine saves and a number of other decent stops to keep Whitehawk out. No chance with the goal.

Nathan Smart – 7

Really disciplined, tempering his attacking instincts to keep the dangerous Neilson relatively quiet.

Tom Bird – 8

Defended strongly, looked to get forward when he could, provided the assist for Flood’s goal and made a goal-line clearance.

Rob Dickie – 8

Really solid. Nothing got past him. Harshly booked.

Jay Gasson – 8

Another player who looks back to his best. Didn’t put a foot wrong and made some vital challenges and blocks.

David Ray – 8

Organised the defence and made several key headers.

Jamie Brown – 7

A big, physical presence in midfield. Stopped Whitehawk playing but guilty of giving the ball away on a few occasions.

James Harper – 7

Quietly broke play up in midfield.

Lloyd Macklin – 7

Limited opportunities as an attacking force, but worked his socks off defensively, tracking full-backs. That’s something that Liam Enver-Marum, who will be back after suspension for Saturday’s game, may not do quite so well. Difficult decision for Bristow.

Chris Flood – 8

Worked his socks off for the team and clinical when presented with his only real chance of the game.

Louie Soares – 8

Really busy in midfield, helping the front two to close down the defence and dropping back behind the ball when needed. Neat and tidy in possession as well.

SUBSTITUTES

Simon Dunn (for Brown 66min) – 7

Gave Town an energy boost in the closing stages.

Nicholas Bignall (for Macklin 75min) – 6

Little chance to make an impact.

Subs (not used): Rice, Jenkinson, Williams

Whitehawk: Ross, Arnold, Hills, Hamilton, Sankofa, Kissock, Deering, Torres, Robinson (sub Abdulla 90+2min), Mills (sub Gargan 90+2min), Neilson

Subs (not used): Rose, Ijaha, Guyonnet

Attendance: 629

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