BASINGSTOKE Town slipped to seventh in the Vanarama Conference South after failing to win for a fourth successive league game.

Saturday’s draw was Town’s first of the season in the league, but they probably left The Soccer AM Stadium the happier of the two teams.

Manny Williams gave the hosts the lead on two occasions, but, without the influential Tom Bird, they struggled to create opportunities going forward against a strong Sutton United side.

The visitors were on the front foot for large parts of the game, particularly in the second half, but Town defended pretty well to claim a point, with Stuart Moore also making a couple of vital saves.

The draw means that Basingstoke have taken just one point from the last 12 available, a run that has seen them drop from top of the table to seventh. However, they can get themselves back into the title mix by winning their games in hand, while the draw means that they are now unbeaten in two.

It was a strange game. Both sides scored twice during a tight opening hour, with neither goalkeeper really called upon apart from picking the ball out of the net. By contrast, the final stages were very open, but neither side could find a winning goal.

Bird and Jamie Brown missed the game through suspension, with Andrew Jenkinson coming in at left-back and the fit-again Simon Dunn replacing Brown in midfield. Town boss Jason Bristow also made another change, Robbie Rice coming in for Nathan Smart at right-back, while Sam Argent was fit enough to take a seat on the bench.

The game got off to a slow start, but Basingstoke managed to break the deadlock after 13 minutes. A swift break involving Williams, Dunn and Shaun McAuley led to Chris Flood crossing from the right, a ball that almost resulted in Charlie Clough heading into his own net.

The ball went behind for a corner. Louie Soares put in a dangerous centre that evaded everyone at the near post but dropped for Williams, who did excellently to readjust his body and hook the ball just inside the post.

Sutton responded well, but Rice, David Ray and Jay Gasson made some important challenges and blocks to restrict the visitors to shots from distance, with Jamie White firing straight at Moore and Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick dragging his effort wide.

However, the pressure eventually told on 40 minutes. Town were dragged out of position by a good passing move and Ricky Wellard found himself in acres of space on the left wing. He made ground into the area and evaded a challenge before firing a low shot beyond Moore from a narrow angle.

Parity lasted for just three minutes as Town found the perfect riposte. A corner was only half-cleared and McAuley’s ball into the area was headed down by Gasson for Williams to nip in and volley past Sutton goalkeeper Tom Lovelock.

Soares also saw his shot deflected wide as Basingstoke ended the half well, but they were forced into the change at the break, with Gasson forced off due to a suspected broken toe.

Nathan Smart replaced him, with Rice moving to centre-back, and Sutton drew level just six minutes into the second period.

There was an element of luck in the build-up as the ball hit Soares in the face and fell kindly for White midway inside the Town half. He made ground before picking out the run of Bedsente Gomis, who fired an angled drive past Moore.

The Basingstoke goalkeeper then made a fine save to deny White, though the visiting striker was in an offside position, and the hosts broke through Flood, but a heavy touch allowed Lovelock to smother the chance.

Sutton began to take charge of the match going into the final half-hour. Wellard fired wide, while Rice made a fine challenge to deny Gomis and Ray got in the way of Craig Dundas’ header.

White was then inches away from putting the visitors ahead, cutting in from the right before curling a left-footed shot against the inside of the far post.

Town broke forward through Soares, with a good challenge preventing Flood from getting on the end of his ball across goal, but in general, Sutton were on top.

They went close again on 68 minutes. Clough got his head to a corner, with Moore making a good save and Soares somehow managing to block the defender’s attempt on the rebound and then hook the ball away from on the line.

More chances followed, but Glen Southam fired wide from distance and Dundas was unable to direct his header on target.

They were handed a clear-cut opportunity by Smart’s woefully under-hit back-pass with 15 minutes to go. Substitute Billy Medlock was in the clear, but Moore stood tall to save with his legs.

Sutton continued to enjoy plenty of pressure in the closing stages, but they were unable to break Town down, only really threatening from White’s looping header, which had Moore worried but dropped onto the roof of the net.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 7 (out of 10)

Probably a bit disappointed to be beaten at his near post for the opening goal, but made two vital saves in the second half to earn his side a point.

Robbie Rice – 8

A really solid game, especially in the second half, when he was asked to play in the centre of defence.

Andrew Jenkinson – 7

Left-back is not his preferred position, but the youngster did a good job deputising for the suspended Tom Bird.

James Harper – 7

Seems to be improving the more he plays, but looks vulnerable when people run at him. Rarely conceded possession and made some good challenges.

Jay Gasson – 8

Made some important interceptions and set up the second goal despite struggling with an injured toe.

David Ray – 8

Made several important challenges and blocks.

Simon Dunn – 7

A good return for the energetic midfielder. Took up some good positions.

Shaun McAuley – 5

Put a good ball into the area for the second Town goal but had little impact otherwise. Kept slipping over and seemed to be caught out of position for Sutton’s opening goal.

Louie Soares – 6

A mixed day. Not really involved in the first half but created Town’s best opportunity of the second period and made a vital goal-line block.

Chris Flood – 6

Starved of service and over-ran his only real opportunity.

Manny Williams – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

Busy throughout, held the ball up pretty well and took his goals excellently.

SUBSTITUTES

Nathan Smart (for Gasson 45min) – 6

Generally solid, but was thankful to Moore after an appalling back-pass.

Lloyd Macklin (for McAuley 60min) – 6

Struggled to get involved with Sutton on the front foot.

Ryan Case (for Flood 77min) – 6

Defender made his debut in attack as Bristow tried to give his side a target to aim at. Ran around a lot, but didn’t have the desired effect.

Subs (not used): Argent, Smalley.

Sutton United: Lovelock, Amankwaah, Hart (sub Osborne 23min), Spillane (sub Evans 40min), Wellard, Clough, Hippolyte-Patrick (sub Medlock 69min), Southam, Dundas, Gomis, White. Subs (not used): Wishart, Julian.

Attendance: 557