BASINGSTOKE RFC gave London South One leaders Wimbledon a fright, as they escaped from Down Grange with a narrow 23-20 victory.

The visitors took the lead for the first time in the contest with 14 minutes left, as Neil Hallett kicked a penalty from the 22 metre line.

His boot kept his side in the game in the opening 40 minutes, after Basingstoke had built up a 10-0 lead.

The home side, welcomed back Matt Horne to their ranks, while teenager Charlie Eaves had an excellent debut at prop.

’Stoke started brightly and Dave Byett kicked over a penalty after 11 minutes.

Wimbledon were finding it hard to get out of their own half, as ’Stoke’s rolling maul gave them all sorts of problems.

So it was no more than they deserved when the home side scored the first try of the game.

Gavin Hart found Ben Stewart and he threw the ball along the line to Freddie Gleadowe.

The captain off loaded to Jobi Kochanowski, who released Matt Woodhouse to go in for his second try in as many home games.

Byett added the conversion and the home side looked in control.

However, two penalties from Hallett the second from 40 metres out, reduced the lead to four points at half-time.

Basingstoke took just two minutes of the second-half to add to their tally as from a driving maul Ryan Davis scored.

The conversion from wide out on the touchline and Byett’s effort unfortunately hit the upright.

Wimbledon hit back as a great throw along the line by Bryan Croke allowed Rhys Morgan to score under the posts and Hallett converted.

The third score in the first 10 minutes of the second-half, saw Callum Staff force his way over, after a line-up down in the corner.

Despite another missed conversion from Byett, ‘Stoke still led 20-13, but their lead was wiped out, when after a great run from Josh Charles saw him break a number of tackles the ball and from this Morgan scored again. Hallett kicked the conversion to make it 20-20.

Soon after, Wimbledon were given their first chance to take the lead, but Hallett missed a penalty from 40 metres.

Just four minutes later, he made amends as the ball sailed over the uprights from 22 metres out.

The home side went looking for a score, with Staff making a surging run into the Wimbledon 22, but they were able to clear.

The visitors had the better of the closing stages of the game, as they took the win to maintain top spot.

Basingstoke are again in action at Down Grange on Saturday, when title chasing Guildford are the visitors.