BASINGSTOKE Town’s National League South relegation plight suffered another setback, as the Dragons could only draw 1-1 with visiting Hampshire rivals Havant and Waterlooville.

It was a real six-pointer at the Camrose, as Town faced a side just above the drop zone and they produced a spirited second half performance, as they came back from a goal down, but were unable to score the winner they desperately needed.

The result left Town five points adrift at the bottom and eight points from safety with nine games still to play.

Basingstoke Town manager Michael Gilkes made three changes to the side which lost at Maidstone the week before, with Rob Rice and Simon Dunn recalled to starting XI and new signing Guri Demuria making his league debut.

So this meant Nathan Smart, Glen Southam and former Havant player Jay Gasson were all dropped.

Demuria had a solid game as he slotted into a back three with Jack Deaman and Rice, as Town went with a 2-5-3 formation.

The first 45 minutes proved to be a scrappy affair of few chances, but the game did get a bit feisty for a few moments, after James Harper’s late challenge on Nic Ciardini. This earned the midfielder, Town’s only yellow card of the game.

Havant had the better of the play in the first half and looked the more likely to score, but the first real chance fell to the home side.

Chris Flood was denied by a block by one of the home defenders as he fired the ball in from the edge after being found by Tom Bird’s corner.

Then just when it looked like it would be 0-0 at the break, the Hawks scored.

Town failed to close down Dan Strugnell as he ran down the left wing and his cross was met by an audacious flick by Ben Swallow, which gave Aaron Howe in the Town goal no chance.

The second half proved to be a much better spectacle in the sunshine at the Camrose.

Town forward Liam Enver-Marum worked hard up front and won a number of corners, which his side were unable to convert.

Around the hour mark, Enver-Marum was released by a lovely ball from Deaman, but he was pushed wide and failed to get his shot away.

Then his strike partner Reece Connolly went close as Town tried to get back on level terms.

The introduction of subs Louie Soares and Glen Southam added even more bite to the home attack and from one of Soares’ crosses Connolly just failed to get a touch.

Finally on the 70 minute mark, the home side were rewarded with their equalising goal.

It came from Connolly as he hooked the ball over a helpless Ryan Young in the Havant goal from Rice’s long throw-in.

Soon after, Havant so nearly took the lead again, but Howe in the home goal was alert to Swallow’s cross from the left and tipped it over the bar.

Town then carved out the best chance of the final 10 minutes, as Manny Williams forced his way into the penalty area and fed Rice, whose low shot was saved by the legs of Young.

The Dragons continued to try and get the all important winner, but in the end had to settle for a draw.

Town are next in action on Saturday, when they travel to Whitehawk and they ended their recent winless streak with a 4-2 win at Dartford yesterday.