MARGATE goalkeeper Nikki Bull pulled off a string of fine saves to earn his side a point and deny Basingstoke Town their first win of the season.

The former Aldershot Town and Wycombe Wanderers shot-stopper, who was talked out of retirement by Margate boss Terry Brown last summer, showed that he has lost none of the skill that once saw him grace the Football League.

The 33-year-old produced five excellent saves to prevent the hosts recording their first win of the season at the fifth attempt, with the pick of the bunch seeing Bull somehow tip Lloyd Macklin's header onto the crossbar.

It was a game that Basingstoke were desperately unlucky not to collect three points from. Margate didn't manage a serious effort on target, while the hosts created plenty but were denied by the excellence of Bull and the frame of the goal.

The hosts handed a debut to new signing Sam Akinde, who replaced Liam Enver-Marum alongside Macklin in attack, while Simon Dunn got his first start of the campaign, coming in for Shaun McAuley.

It was the visitors who made the better start on a boiling hot afternoon in north Hampshire.

Luke Moore almost linked up with striker Jamie Taylor, while it took an excellent block from Will Salmon to deny Freddie Ladapo after he had played a neat one-two with Moore.

However, Town were a matter of centimetres away from opening the scoring 15 minutes in.

Right-back Salmon won the ball and sparked a counter-attack, exchanging passes with Macklin before sliding a pass out to Tom Bird on the left wing. His cross found Macklin unmarked at the far post and the striker's header was destined for the top corner before Bull got finger-tips to it, touching the ball onto the crossbar.

It was a fantastic save and massively out of keeping with the rest of the first half, as both sides toiled in the heat.

Lewis Taylor's effort from the edge of the area bobbled narrowly wide of the Town goal, while Macklin was denied by an excellent challenge from visiting defender Jake Goodman.

Jamie Taylor managed Margate's solitary effort on target just before the break, but his header was comfortably collected by Aaron Howe in the home goal.

Louie Soares tested Bull in the opening minute of the second half, showing neat feet to cut in from the left before getting a shot away, but the Margate 'keeper was equal to his effort.

The game looked to be heading towards a dull draw, with defences very much on top, but the introduction of substitutes Enver-Marum and Harrison Gilkes gave the hosts fresh impetus.

Manager Jason Bristow also changed his side's shape. With both sides playing a midfield diamond, the centre of the pitch had been very congested, something the Town boss countered by switching to a 4-3-3 shape, with Gilkes and Chris Flood looking to take advantage of available space on the wings.

The changes worked well and Town were much the better side in the final 20 minutes, creating several good chances.

Chris Flood nearly gave them the lead on 70 minutes, rising in the penalty area to meet Bird's free-kick, but seeing his header rattle the crossbar.

Gilkes, who was particularly impressive after being introduced, was the next to go close, cutting in from the right before firing in a low shot that was destined for the bottom corner before Bull made another fine save.

It wasn't long before the visiting goalkeeper was in action again. Gilkes did well down the right and while his shot was blocked, Manny Williams picked up the loose ball and squared for Enver-Marum on the penalty spot, but once again Bull was equal to his shot.

Enver-Marum was denied by Bull once more with eight minutes to play, the goalkeeper getting down well to prevent his shot from distance finding the corner of the net.

Town survived a late scare as Margate substitute Christian Jolley's powerful shot clipped the outside of the post on its way wide, but while the hosts continued to press after this, they were unable to test Bull again.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Aaron Howe - 7 (out of 10)
Didn't have a whole lot to do, but one dodgy punch aside, had a good afternoon.

Will Salmon - 8 - Gazette Star Man
Defended strongly throughout, making an excellent block to deny Ladapo in the early stages. Also carried a threat going forward, setting up the break that almost resulted in Macklin scoring.

Tom Bird - 8
Solid defensively and a threat going forward. Provided the crosses for both Macklin and Flood to hit the crossbar.

James Harper - 7
Worked hard in a congested midfield and retained possession nicely.

Robbie Rice - 7
Another solid game. Really proving his worth at centre-back.

David Ray - 8
Marshalled the defence well and made some timely blocks, tackles and interceptions.

Louie Soares - 7
Did his best and created a few opportunities, but starved of space in midfield.

Simon Dunn - 7
Worked hard to close Margate players down, but little space in which to operate.

Sam Akinde - 7
A decent debut. Big, strong and mobile, he gives Town something different in attack.

Chris Flood - 7
Struggled to get into the game in midfield, but disciplined throughout and unfortunate to see his header hit the crossbar.

Lloyd Macklin - 7
Desperately unlucky to be denied by Bull's fantastic save. Worked extremely hard to close defenders down and caused problems with his pace. Just needs to get his head up a bit more when in possession.

SUBSTITUTES

Liam Enver-Marum (for Akinde 62min) - 8
Seemed to up his game further having seen his manager bring in another striker. Worked hard, got into good areas and saw two shots well saved by Bull.

Harrison Gilkes (for Macklin 70min) - 8
Made a massive difference when he came on. Had the Margate defence on the back foot with his direct runs from the right and could have scored twice.

Manny Williams (for Dunn 76min) - 7
Showed some nice touches after being introduced into the action.

Subs (not used): Nathan Smart, Jay Gasson

Margate: Nikki Bull, Glenn Wilson, Nathan Green, Kane Wills (sub Solomon Taiwo 81min), Jake Goodman, Charlie Wassmer, Lewis Taylor, Danny Green, Freddie Ladapo, Jamie Taylor (sub Christian Jolley 76min), Luke Moore (sub Sam Rents 63min)

Subs (not used): Ryan Moss, Brett Johnson

Attendance: 471