BASINGSTOKE Town were made to pay for a sloppy second-half performance by Harrow Borough at The Soccer AM Stadium on Saturday.

The sides will meet again in Middlesex tomorrow night, with a place in the first round of the FA Cup up for grabs, after an own-goal cancelled out Liam Enver-Marum’s early strike.

The home side were in control throughout the opening 45 minutes but only went into the break with Enver-Marum’s 12th-minute goal to show for their efforts.

Ryman League outfit Harrow looked to take the initiative after half-time, and Town allowed them to, taking their foot off the throttle and giving the ball away too easily.

Still, the visitors scored from their only real effort of note. Jake Gilbert was left unmarked to meet a free-kick into the area and while Stuart Moore saved well to keep out his header, the ball ricocheted back into the net off the unfortunate Jamie Brown.

Town boss Jason Bristow named the same side that had beaten Wealdstone a week earlier, but there were a couple of changes on the bench. Robbie Rice and Sam Argent both missed out through injury, so Julian Owusu was recalled from his spell on duel registration at Beaconsfield SYCOB and named as a substitute.

Basingstoke made a bright start and a nice move involving Louie Soares and Tom Bird resulted in Chris Flood chesting the ball down for Simon Dunn, but a defender just managed to nick the ball away from him.

Harrow almost conceded an own-goal as a back-pass bobbled over goalkeeper Nicky Jupp’s foot and while he got back to clear just in time, the ball was soon nestling in his net.

A simple ball over the top put Flood in down the right and his low centre was converted by Enver-Marum to put the hosts ahead.

Town spent the rest of the half piling pressure on the visitors, keeping the ball well and carving out several opportunities.

Jupp had to be alert to keep out Shaun McAuley after a clever flick from Enver-Marum, while Nathan Smart’s low ball in was only just cut out before it reached Soares.

McAuley almost scored with a low shot from a free-kick, Jupp making an unconvincing save, with Flood’s follow-up shot blocked on the line.

Two more chances came as the half drew to a close. McAuley’s deflected cross was almost turned in by Brown, the midfielder volleying narrowly over from a narrow angle, while Dunn was unable to direct the ball on target after some good work by Flood down the right.

The hosts had been in total control for the first half, but they stopped doing some of the basics after the break, giving Harrow hope.

Brown and Flood were unable to make the most of half-chances in the early stages of the second period and Brown’s unfortunate own-goal brought Harrow level on 65 minutes.

The goal seemed to liven Town up, with Enver-Marum heading wide and also having strong claims for a penalty waved away, but in general, too many passes continued to go astray.

Former Reading midfielder James Harper came off the bench to make his Town debut, but he couldn’t help his side find a winner.

David Ray headed a Tom Bird cross wide, while Nik Salapatas, Harrow’s best player on the day, was unable to trouble Moore with a couple of shooting opportunities.

The hosts almost made the breakthrough injury-time, when two defenders missed a bouncing ball to give Enver-Marum a run on goal. The striker’s touch wasn’t great, taking him away from goal, but he was brought down by Julian Smith and referee Christopher O’Donnell adjudged that the left-back was the last man, showing him a red card.

Town had one final chance to win the match from the resulting free-kick, but Bird could only shoot into the wall.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 7 (out of 10)

Not troubled much. Made a good save to deny Jake Gilbert and unlucky to see the ball ricochet in.

Nathan Smart – 6

Given a tough afternoon by Harrow’s Nik Salapatas.

Tom Bird – 7

Untroubled defensively and keen as ever to get forward. Delivery into the area not as good as normal.

Louie Soares – 6

Some nice touches in the first half but not really in the game after the break.

Jay Gasson – 7

Never really put under pressure.

David Ray – 7

Largely untroubled defensively.

Jamie Brown – 6

Did a good job protecting the back four but gave the ball away too often. Unfortunate bounce saw him put the ball into his own net.

Shaun McAuley – 7 (Gazette Star Man)

Excellent in the first half but unable to perform at the same level after the break.

Liam Enver-Marum – 7

Scored Town’s goal but did little else. Struggled against a pacy Harrow defence.

Chris Flood – 7

Did some really good work in the channels and set up Enver-Marum for the opening goal. Little chance to shine after the break.

Simon Dunn – 6

Bright in the early stages but faded as the game went on.

SUBSTITUTES

James Harper (for Dunn 72min) – 7

Showed his class and helped Town to keep possession a bit better.

Lloyd Macklin (for Soares 76min) – 7

Posed problems with his pace down the right wing.

Subs (not used): Jenkinson, Owusu, Blackwell, Hallahan, Stubbs.

Harrow Borough: Jupp, Gilbert, Smith, Odametey, Peacock (sub Otira 87min), Sonuga, Salapatas, Hope, Charles-Smith, Long (sub Driver 63min), Bryan. Subs (not used): Debattista, Massiat, Noel, Horlock.

Attendance: 728