As the final month of the season began, Basingstoke Town travelled up to Marlow to take on another side aiming to secure a play-off place at the end of April and the spoils were eventually shared in a 0-0 draw that leaves 5th-placed ‘Stoke with work to do to secure their place in the play-offs.

Town arrived at the game somewhat shorthanded – leading scorers Conor Lynch and Brad Wilson both unavailable, while midfielder Anton Rodgers was also unable to face his former club and Dan Williamson remained sidelined while a pre-match call from the Isthmian League office warned Marlow that an ineligible player was listed on their team sheet, prompting a hurried change to the line-up before kick-off.

The contest had a bit of a grudge match feel in the build-up following the reverse fixture earlier this season, a bad-tempered 1-0 victory for Marlow that left the Basingstoke fans in attendance seething with both the Marlow players and the referee, but it failed to really ignite.

In a game of few chances Marlow started brightly, forcing a good save from Paul Strudley on the quarter-hour mark but ‘Stoke had their opportunities too and shaded the first half.

Both Lloyd Snell and George Reid shot off target after going through on goal while Reid was also denied by home keeper Simon Grant.

The hosts were inches from the opener to start the second half when Adam Richards crashed a shot against the bar and Strudley again saved well from Marcus Mealing, but as the half ticked by with both sides struggling to create sustained pressure on the opposition goal, they settled for a point each leaving Basingstoke’s play-off destiny in their hands with four matches to go.