BASINGSTOKE Town produced one of their best performances of the season but were unable to prevent in-form Gosport Borough from reaching the second round of the FA Trophy at Privett Park last night.

Two lapses in concentration, one at the start of the game and one in the early stages of extra-time, allowed the clinical hosts to get the goals that saw them through, but Town were the better side for large parts of the game.

Andrew Jenkinson was outstanding in the centre of midfield, keeping a cool head under pressure and retaining possession for his side, while wing-backs Tom Bird and Nathan Smart were a constant threat out wide.

For large parts of the second half, Gosport simply couldn’t handle Town’s movement and passing, but the visitors were only able to beat goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore once and it was the hosts who managed to score the vital second goal early in extra-time.

Basingstoke manager Jason Bristow stuck with the 3-5-2 formation he had employed in the initial tie three days earlier and made just one change, with Shaun McAuley replacing James Harper in midfield.

Town got off to the worst possible start as Matt Paterson gave Gosport the lead with just three minutes on the clock, guiding the ball beyond Stuart Moore after being played in by Mike Carter.

The hosts pressed for a second, with Steve Ramsey heading a decent chance wide, but Basingstoke improved as the half went on. A Bird cross almost forced Brett Poate into an own-goal and Ashmore did well to claim Chris Flood’s low centre, while David Ray, his head bandaged after a collision with the goalkeeper, twice headed wide from set pieces in the closing stages.

Town also had the first opportunity after the break, Flood seeing his shot blocked, but Gosport then hit the crossbar twice in the space of three minutes.

Sam Pearce’s header from a free-kick glanced the woodwork on its way over, while a similar effort from Ramsey smacked against the face of the bar soon after.

Carter’s shot was deflected narrowly wide as Gosport went close again, but it was Town who were dominating possession and territory.

Chances soon followed, with Smart heading Bird’s cross narrowly over before turning provider, his cross from the right being headed home expertly by Flood to level the scores with 25 minutes to play.

Pearce had a chance to restore Gosport’s lead almost immediately, but he headed a corner wide when well placed.

In general though, it was the visitors who seemed the more likely winners. Louis Soares shot narrowly wide after Manny Williams’ effort had been blocked, while Ashmore did brilliantly to deny Ray when the ball broke to him following a corner.

More chances followed, with Flood heading a Bird cross just wide and forcing an excellent reaction save from Ashmore with another header from a corner.

However, Gosport might have won the tie inside 90 minutes, but Paterson was denied by an excellent block from Smart after the visitors were hit on the break.

The hosts got what proved to be the winner two minutes into extra-time. Lee Wort was allowed to get in down the right channel and his pull-back was smashed home by Justin Bennett.

Basingstoke went close to levelling when McAuley was played through by Soares, but Ashmore made a fantastic save low to his right to keep his side ahead and Town seemed to run out of steam as extra-time went on.

They had much more of the ball, but Gosport defended stoutly and actually created the better chances on the break during the second extra period.

Paterson and Dan Wooden both saw shots blocked, while Bennett blasted a good chance wide and a cross bounced off the top of the Town crossbar on its way over.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 7 (out of 10)

Didn’t have much to do but came off his line well on a couple of occasions.

Nathan Smart – 8

The energetic wide man was key at both ends of the pitch, crossing for the goal and making a crucial block in the closing stages.

Tom Bird – 8

A constant threat down the left. Put some excellent balls into the area.

Ryan Case – 7

A solid display up against two good strikers.

Robbie Rice – 7

Another strong showing from the reliable defender.

David Ray – 8

Made some vital blocks and interceptions early on, when Town were under pressure. Showed great bravery to carry on after taking a nasty blow to the head and his performance levels did not drop.

Andrew Jenkinson – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

Outstanding from the young midfielder, whose discipline and cultured passing allowed the visitors to dominate in the second half. Tired in extra-time but surely must keep his place in the side.

Shaun McAuley – 7

Bright and lively thoughout.

Louis Soares – 7 Posed problems by taking up good positions and linked up well with McAuley.

Chris Flood – 8 

Scored one really good header and only denied a second goal by a fine save.

Manny Williams – 8

Made himself impossible to mark by dropping deep and linking up with the midfielders. Always ready to receive the ball.

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for Williams 90min) – 6

Unable to use his pace as Gosport sat back after taking the lead.

Sam Argent (for McAuley 105min) – 6

Didn’t get many opportunities in possession.

Jamie Brown (for Flood 115min) – 6

Not enough time to have an impact against the club that he left under a cloud in the summer.

Subs (not used): Harper, Smalley.

Gosport Borough: Ashmore, Dunford, Williams, Carter, Poate, Pearce, Ramsey (sub Wooden 64min), Smith, Paterson, Bennett, Wilde (sub Wort 88min). Subs (not used): Molyneaux, Saez, Shaw.

Attendance: 247