BASINGSTOKE Town’s FA Cup dream remains alive thanks to Chris Flood’s second-half equaliser, which earned his side a replay against Vanarama Conference outfit AFC Telford United.

A bumper crowd of 1,251 braved heavy rain to watch Saturday’s game at The Soccer AM Stadium, and they were treated to a classic cup tie.

Rod McDonald’s deflected free-kick gave visiting Telford the lead at the end of an even first half, but Flood’s header levelled the game five minutes after the break, and it was the hosts who looked more likely to win the game in the closing stages.

They had several close shaves, with the ball flashing across the Telford goal on numerous occasions, but could not find the killer touch and will have to travel to Shropshire for a replay next Tuesday.

The teams will learn who they might face in the second round when the draw is made tonight.

With strikers Liam Enver-Marum, Lloyd Macklin, Sam Argent and Manny Williams all ruled out through injury or suspension, Town boss Jason Bristow opted to make a change to his side’s formation. Rather than sticking with the midfield diamond they have employed for most of the season, he played Flood in a lone striker role, with Louie Soares, Shaun McAuley and Simon Dunn supporting from midfield.

Elsewhere, Nathan Smart was only deemed fit for a place on the bench due to illness, so Robbie Rice kept his place at right-back.

The game got off to a frantic start, with both sides looking to play at a high tempo.

Rice made an important early block to deny Sam Smith a shot at goal, while Soares showed good feet in the Telford box but he too saw his effort blocked.

Jamie Brown was next to go close, heading a corner just over the Telford crossbar, while the visitors broke dangerously, with David Ray making a good block to deny Smith and Adam Farrell firing wide from the edge of the area.

A free-kick only just evaded an unmarked Ray as Town continued to press, but it was the visitors who got their noses in front on 18 minutes.

A clumsy challenge by Brown on Sean Cooke gave Telford a free-kick in a central position just outside the area and McDonald’s powerful low drive took a wicked deflection and ended up in the roof of the net.

After a couple of shaky moments, Town responded well. Tom Bird almost found Brown with a fine cross, while Dunn got the chance to shoot from the edge of the area but was unable to keep his effort down.

McAuley had the home side’s best chance of the half on 35 minutes as Bird’s excellent delivery found the midfielder unmarked at the far post. It was a difficult opportunity on the stretch and he was unable to divert the ball on target.

A cross went just over the head of Flood as the first period drew to a close, but Town were on the front foot early in the second half and they got their reward on 50 minutes.

The Telford defence failed to deal with a corner from the right and Flood managed to stoop and redirect the ball home from inside the six-yard box to level the scores.

They almost went ahead less than a minute later, but McAuley’s low centre just evaded Soares.

There was a nervous moment at the other end as Jay Gasson conceded another dangerous free-kick, but Cooke’s shot flashed narrowly wide.

Adam Farrell fired over from the edge of the area as the visitors had a brief spell of pressure, but Town were soon back on top, Bird drilling a low shot across the face of goal.

The same player also fired an effort from distance wide as the hosts went in search of a late winner.

Good work from Flood saw him flash the ball across goal, but again there was nobody on hand to tap home. The same player then had a shot blocked, while the resulting corner saw the ball again run across the face of the Telford goal with no Town player able to get the vital touch.

The visitors were hanging on and good work from Soares resulted in him getting a shot away, but he fired wide of the near post, while McAuley poked the ball wide to end a penalty-area scramble in stoppage time.

When Basingstoke conceded a free-kick deep in their own half, it looked like Telford would have one last opportunity, but Town survived and the sides will try again next week.

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 a save to make and had no chance with the goal. Struggled with his kicking on an awkward surface but his handling was excellent in tricky conditions.

Robbie Rice – 9 (Gazette Star Man)

A commanding display at right-back. Made several vital blocks and challenges, kept his winger quiet, got forward when required and rarely gave the ball away.

Tom Bird – 8

Defended solidly and put some excellent balls into the area.

James Harper – 7

Unable to have a massive influence on the game. Conditions didn’t suit him but a calm head in midfield.

Jay Gasson – 7

A few shaky moments and poor clearances, but answered most of the questions Telford threw at him.

David Ray – 7

Really tested by Telford’s aerial bombardment, but stood up to it well.

Simon Dunn – 7

Worked really hard for the team and made some good breaks forward.

Shaun McAuley – 7

Always keen to get on the ball and get Town moving forward.

Louie Soares – 8

Took up some really good positions and posed the Telford defence a lot of problems with his pace and dribbling.

Chris Flood – 8

Worked his socks off in the lone role up front and took his goal well.

Jamie Brown – 7

Patrolled the area in front of the back four well but his clumsy challenge led to the Telford goal.

Subs (not used): Smart, Jenkinson, Owusu, Maylen, Smalley (gk), Hallahan, Charlick.

AFC Telford United: Hedge, Higgins, Clancy, Byrne, Parry, Grogan, McDonald, Poku, Farrell, Smith (sub Hancock 79min), Cooke (sub Todd 79min). Subs (not used): Barnett, Gray, Platt, Price (gk), Akrigg.

Attendance: 1,251