BASINGSTOKE Town progressed to the fourth round of the Hampshire Senior Cup with a solid, if not spectacular, victory over Wessex League outfit Bournemouth Poppies.

Jason Bristow’s men came out on top in Dorset despite an uneven pitch making things difficult, but the victory was not as comfortable as they might have liked.

The hosts actually created the better chances early on, with Town goalkeeper Joe McDonnell doing well to save from Scott Costello and Connor Phillips also getting a shot on target.

However, it was Town who took the lead on 12 minutes, Kezie Ibe meeting Adam Green’s cross from the left to head home from 10 yards.

The visitors were fortunate not to concede a penalty and lose Nathan Smart to a red card shortly after.

Debutant Ryan Debattista gifted the ball to Phillips, who was through on goal. Smart got back to make the challenge but he seemed to foul the Bournemouth man, perhaps only avoiding a red card as Phillips chose to stay on his feet and get a shot away, which McDonnell was able to save.

Town were enjoying plenty of possession though and the visitors doubled their lead on 26 minutes, a good move down the right resulting in Smart pulling the ball back for Ibe to finish clinically.

Green was a constant threat down the left and when his shot was only parried by Bournemouth goalkeeper Kenny Vaughan, Smart tucked home the rebound, but the goal was chalked off for offside.

The hosts went close again after this, Debattista clearing off the line after McDonnell flapped at a corner, with Phillips’ effort from the edge of the area flying just over in the aftermath.

However, it was Ibe who had the final effort of the half, his shot from the edge of the box forcing a good save out of Vaughan.

Bournemouth continued to pose a threat after the break and they hit the post early in the second half, Jonathan Watt’s angled effort clipping the frame of the goal with McDonnell well beaten.

Town seemed to take their foot off the gas, while many of the efforts on goal they did have flew well off target – but Andrew Jenkinson and Jordace Holder-Spooner were both able to test the home goalkeeper.

Bournemouth continued to look dangerous when they managed to get forward, with Phillips just failing to get on the end of a low cross, Scott Costello shooting narrowly wide and McDonnell keeping out another Phillips effort.

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

Bournemouth Poppies: Vaughan, Ayrton, Jackson, Hales (sub Cooper 72min), Pearce, Owens, Ingram, Martinez (sub Turner 85min), Watt, Costello, Phillips. Subs (not used): Robinson, Warren.

Basingstoke Town: McDonnell, Smart, Green (sub Barrett 65min), Jenkinson, Adams, Rice, Daly, McAuley, Ibe, Holder-Spooner, Debattista. Subs (not used): Williams, Matthews, Ray, Gasson.