BASINGSTOKE Town extended their recent unbeaten run to three games with a come from behind 2-1 victory against visiting Stratford Town.

After a quiet opening it was the visitors who drew first blood.

A good midfield build up saw Trey Braithwaite on the left feed a pass onto Richard Gregory.

The striker wasted no time in controlling the ball and firing a fierce drive from 20 yards into the net .

The home side responded well and on 22 minutes came the first of two match defining moments, involving a dual between Robert Atkinson and the Stratford goalie Niall Cooper.

Sam Deadfield sent in an accurate free-kick from the left which gave a chance to Joe Gater who saw his effort blocked by Niall Cooper.

Atkinson followed up thundering a shot from 12 yards which crashed off the underside of the crossbar and looked to have gone over the goal line.

Cooper re-acted quickly and cleared. The assistant referee who was well positioned adjudged the ball had not crossed the line.

The second moment came on 27 minutes, when another accurate free-kick from Deadfield found Atkinson with a powerful header.

This time, Cooper looked to have made an amazing save, as he pushed the ball onto the inside of the post and somehow scooped the ball away.

The assistant referee was again well positioned and this time signalled a goal.

On 35 minutes the Dragons were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards from goal.

Nana Owusu hit a fierce shot which saw Cooper tip this over the bar.

A minute later, the goalkeeper was again in action saving a Deadfield free-kick following a clumsy challenge on Romone Rose.

Three minutes before half-time Owusu head flicked into the path of Rose.

The striker hit the shot early but found Cooper well positioned to save, leaving it 1-1 at the break.

After the interval, the home side took a firm hold of proceedings and on 49 minutes should have taken the lead.

Another accurate free-kick on the left found the head of David Ray but the skipper could not direct his effort on target.

Four minutes later there was a repeat. Another accurate Deadfield free-kick on the left saw Robert Atkinson’s header go just wide.

The Dragons continued to hold the edge but were unable to fathom a chance until the 79th minute.

Good play from Rose set sub George Hallahan in with a chance but the young striker’s effort lacked power and Cooper saved easily.

Stratford almost made the home side pay for the misses when two minutes later good play down the left saw Kieren Westwood send in a dangerous cross, which sub Mike Taylor headed wide.

With seven minutes left, the Dragons took the lead.

Good play from Matt Partridge finished with a good pass into the path of Owusu who outpaced the visitors defence and fired low past the outrushing goalkeeper from 20 yards.

The visitors made a late push to salvage a point and forced a corner in added time. However the home side held on comfortably to claim a deserved three points.

Basingstoke’s next game is away to Bath City in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Saturday.