A very good effort from the lads against a changed but nonetheless strong Basingstoke Town side. The 3-2 scoreline certainly isn't flattering on us and on another day we might have nicked it - 'stoke keeper Chay Morris pulled off some very good saves. Josh Daniels led the line superbly well, particularly first half.

Basingstoke took the lead on 11 mins after an even first 10 minutes, but we stuck to our task and when Josh was put through he took his chance very well, firing strongly passed the onrushing keeper. Another good move ended with Josh responding to Jack Smillie's call, teeing up the recently returned midfielder with a chance he neatly put away. 2-1 up at the half-time whistle and not undeserved from what had been a pretty even half.

'Stoke strikers Delano Sam-Yorke and David Pratt were causing us problems as expected, but it was unfortunate that the equaliser came very early into the second half from the penalty spot - it seemed a soft call from where I was but I didn't have a great view; however, it was given by the assistant rather than the ref and that always throws up a bit of a question mark in my mind. Lee was given little chance with the spot kick.

Basingstoke stole the win with a very neat move finished by David Pratt, but chances fell to the Hartley lads before and after that goal and only some fine saves and the luck against us prevented an equaliser. The game ended with Hartley attacking as Nathan Stamp sent a fierce free-kick over the bar.

Lee Allen had been called on to make several good saves but my personal Man of the Match has to go to Josh Daniels, exceptional on the night - well done Josh.

A terrific effort all round and we go back to the Camrose on Saturday for the next installment and rather more at stake, not least pride in a local derby between two teams 2 leagues and 4 divisions apart. [KOB]

SQUAD: Allen, Stamp, Newcombe, Patterson (c), Bridges, Pearson, Smillie (Dillon), Daniels (Stephens), Peltohaka, Brownlie, Coventry. Subs: Tillson, Stephens, Williams, Hamilton, Dillon.