ALEX Tokarczyk saved a second half penalty as Basingstoke Town enjoyed their first home league win in 2017, at the third attempt.

After the game Manager Terry Brown said: “I am obviously delighted to get the three points and I think that puts us in a good position. It was an ugly game, but nice to win one for a change.

“I did not think it was a penalty, as I felt the foul was outside the area and the momentum took their striker into the box.

“Alex made a great save and also another couple during the game which was great to see.”

Many fans had expected a new face in the Town line-up, after the announcement of the signing of youngster Oluwatobi Adekunle from Team Solent late on Friday.

However, the winger has been signed on dual forms and played instead for the Wessex League side but is likely to figure in future games.

So this meant the Dragons made only one change to their starting line-up with Dan Collier coming into the midfield in place of Michael Atkinson.

The home side got off to the worst possible start, as the Waders took the lead after four minutes, as former Town striker Nicholas Bignall struck with a shot from the edge of the area.

After this the home side looked the better of the two sides going forward, but failed to carve out clear cut chances.

They then so nearly conceded a second, after Bignall released Rhys Hornes, but Tokarczyk pushed the ball off his foot, as he looked set to go around the goalkeeper and score.

The Dragons then ended the half strongly and got their deserved equaliser on 39 minutes.

Matt Partridge sent in a lovely ball from the edge of the area on the right, which was met with a bullet header by Aaron Jarvis.

Then two minutes later, Marcus Johnson-Schuster played the ball back to Partridge and Jarvis this time tried an over head kick on the cross, which found the roof of the net.

The second 45 minutes proved to be an open affair, as chances fell for both sides, with the Waders always ready to counter attack quickly.

Just before the hour the Waders’ Bignall found the side netting, this was after the home side’s Joe Gater just failed to get his head to a Sam Deadfield corner.

Tokarczyk was then called into action again, to make an excellent one handed save going the wrong way, after Connor Hall scuffed his shot sending the ball in a different direction.

Then on 75 minutes, Dragon’s sub Nana Owusu went on a superb 60 yard run from just inside his own half down the left flank beating two defenders, before he crossed for Ashleigh Artwell to slot in.

The action in the game was not over by a long way as with eight minutes left the out stretched leg of Gater caught Bignall and the Waders were awarded a penalty.

The home side players appealed against it and after much discussion Gater was booked for the challenge and Tokarczyk for scuffing up the penalty spot.

After a long delay, Hall firmly had his chance to take the penalty and his shot low to the right of Tokarcyzk was well saved. After this the home side saw the game out for the victory.

Next up for the Dragons on Saturday is a visit from league leaders Chippenham Town and the return of old Town sharp shooter David Pratt.