BASINGSTOKE Town gained a deserved win in the North Hampshire derby league clash at Hartley Wintney courtesy of two second half goals.

However, the Row will have chance for quick revenge on Tuesday night (7.45pm), when the sides meet again at the Camrose a Southern League Cup tie.

Saturday’s game saw Hartley have the first chance on two minutes, when a Jack French corner on the right found the head of Mickel Platt who headed narrowly wide.

The Dragons quickly took a grip on the game and Zidan Akers had three chances in a row to open the scoring.

On 5 minutes he had an effort well saved by man of the match Adam Desbois.

Two minutes later a move down the right created a shot for Akers which was parried by Desbois and the follow up from Sam Argent was blocked by Row defenders with Nathan Smart clearing off the line.

After 11 minutes, Akers tried his luck again after being set up by Sam Argent but once again Desbois produced a good stop.

Play evened up as the half progressed. Yet another effort was notched by Akers when from a centre he shot past the post.

The Row mustered an overdue effort on target when Mitchell Parker’s shot was saved by the well positioned Colm McAdden.

On the stroke of half time Sam Smart made good progress down the left and his cross found Akers who was unlucky to see his flick go just past the post.

Town started the better in the second period and on 50 minutes a short corner on the left a chance was created for Sam Argent who fired narrowly wide.

On 58 minutes, the Row had a sight at goal when a long ball found Mitchell Parker who shot wide.

Four minutes later, Basingstoke took the lead. Loose play in midfield by the Row enabled substitute Aaron Redford to feed Sam Smart on the right.

The winger made his way into the penalty box before unleashing a fine shot from a difficult angle which went into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Things got better for the Dragons three minutes later on 65 minutes.

Hartley lost possession on the right of midfield. The ball was quickly moved through to Harry Pearse who ran on and shot low past Desbois.

Hartley had a chance on 79 minutes when good play by Joe Felix down the left saw the full back find Parker who saw his effort saved by a well positioned McAddan in the Town goal.

On 83 minutes a quick break by Basingstoke gave Town a good chance but the wingers shot was saved by Desbois.

Hartley should have recorded a goal on 85 minutes. A spell of pressure saw Josh Webb head down to substitute Mikey Campbell whose shot was off target from close range.

The visitors had the final chance in added time when Ollie Harris managed to free on a breakaway. The substitute saw his parting effort well saved by Desbois.

Basingstoke held on for a deserved win to boost their efforts to move away from the lower reaches of the Southern League Premier South.

After the game, Hartley joint manager Anthony Millerick said: “All in all a ‘bad day at the office.

“We did not do any of the positive things we have been doing in our recent games. We did not show any tempo or urgency.”

He added: “Basingstoke were full value for the win. They outworked us during the match. I feel we let ourselves down today but moving forward we must show character for the remaining matches in the season.”