Ross Kitteridge returned from suspension, but with Jason Bristow missing through suspension, Sean Hankin through illness and Jerome Maledon, Sam Tucknott and Tom Williamson injured Frank Gray handed new signing Miles Mitchell-Coop his first start.

Weston started brightly and had a free kick on the right touchline in the second minute, the ball was swung in but Town defended well as they did all evening except for the one lapse of concentration that was punished. Town took control and Northmore’s first test came on 8 minutes, Joe Dolan forcing a fine save with a near post header from a corner. Sido Jombarti headed over from the second corner. As the Dragons turned up the heat Ross Montague turned in the box and had his shot charged down. Mitchell Bryant forced another fine save from the visiting keeper from 20 yards and after some neat passing between Bryant, Phil Ruggles and Matt Warner, Mitchell-Coop completed the move with a tame shot. Ruggles could only watch as his goal bound effort was deflected wide. Weston had their first chance on 28 minutes, Kitteridge diving right across his goal to turn away a quickly taken free kick. Dolan failed to deal with a long pass and Ryan Havard got behind the Stoke defence but scuffed his shot from a good position. Stoke continued to pile on the pressure, Adam Aimable shot wide from 30 yards following a rebound from a free kick. Bryant shot from 25 yards just left of the post. Aimable forced Northmore to get down quickly and beat away his 22 yard shot. In first half injury time Dolan sent a long ball through, Ruggles got behind the defence and blasted over. Weston had Northmore to thank that it was worth their while to come out for the second half. Half Time; Basingstoke Town 0 Weston-super-Mare 0.

The home side picked up after the break where they had left off, Ruggles sent in a low cross from a Dolan free kick and Montague’s shot went agonisingly wide. Bryant struck straight at Northmore from distance. As the hour mark approached Weston began to get into the game and had their best and decisive spell. James Palmer shot high over the bar but Darren Mullings came close to opening the scoring. However, shortly after, former Town midfielder Ben Wells caught his old team sleeping and provided the cross for Mark McGregor who was unmarked to have an easy tap in. In previous games Town have allowed their opponents to dominate after conceding but they soon got control of the game again and created several good scoring opportunities but could not find the net. Town laid siege to the Weston goal, Jombarti saw a deflected shot easily saved and for the only time of the night to beat Northmore but a defender headed off the line. Bryant forced another brilliant save from the away keeper and the rebound going past the unmarked Ruggles by the narrowest of margins. Northmore was in the action again saving a Rob Watkins header. The keeper was forced to make another excellent save this time to prevent an own goal. Town had 2 claims for penalties turned down by referee Crouch, the second looking to be a good claim. David Tarpey was introduced at 81 minutes and with his first involvement set Dolan up who had time but his effort went over the bar as he tried to lob the keeper. As Stoke pushed forward they left gaps at the back, Kitteridge standing tall to block a 1 on 1 with substitute Marvin Brown. McGregor then saw a header come back off the bar. Town battled to the end but as the injury time approached the game was marred with the sending off of Weston’s Cedric Abraham after a fracas involving a number of players from both sides and Abraham appeared to clash with a spectator. Tom Hateley and Bryant were booked for the home side and Ashan Holgate for the visitors for their part. Frank Gray will be left to wonder what you have to do to win a game after this performance as there was little else the home side could do, Ryan Northmore however being the toast of Weston as his outstanding performance gained them the three points that the remainder of his team mates really did not deserve. Attendance 172, Man of the Match: Matt Warner

Basingstoke Town: Ross Kitteridge, Adam Aimiable, Matt Warner, Miles Mitchell-Coop, Joe Dolan, Rob Watkins, Sido Jombarti, Tom Hateley, Ross Montague, Mitchell Bryant, Phil Ruggles (David Tarpey) Subs not used: Jamie Lovegrove, Ian Jones,  Jide Ogunbote, Chris Waller.