BASINGSTOKE Town opened their home friendly campaign with an excellent 1-1 draw with visiting National League outfit Eastleigh.

The visitors put out a strong side, which was well supported in a big crowd at the Camrose.

The home side gave a great account of themselves especially defensively, as they limited their Hampshire rivals to rare scoring opportunities.

It was Town who took the lead after 28 minutes, after a great ball from Zidan Akers saw Charlie Kennedy strike a sweet volley, which left Graham Stack in the home goal no chance.

Soon after, Tom Leggett nearly grabbed a second, after a poor back pass, left Stack having to come to the rescue.

As the half came to a close, Eastleigh's Cav Miley fired well over from distance as did Sam Wood's free-kick.

Town's summer signing Dean Stow did better with one of his free-kicks, which went into the chest of Stack.

The home side nearly doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second half, but Ross Flitney, who replaced Stack at the break, produced a great save to deny Akers, after good work from Adam Nditi and Sam Deadfield.

Eastleigh then equalised with a superb move, as Mark Yeates was able to get to the byline and whipped in a ball for Ben Williamson to convert.

Soon after, Yeates tested Colm McAdden and then at the other end Charlie Osborne played in Argent, but he was denied one-on-one by Flitney.

Town came again with as Argent turned provider for Osborne, but the boot of Flitney kept his effort out.

After the game Town manager Jason Bristow said: "I am over the moon with the performance. We know we have goals in this team, but tonight we defended really well."

Town next entertain Maidenhead on Saturday (3pm) with Bristow likely to rotate his squad and then on Tuesday they are now away at Fleet Town.