The visitors created the better chances, but were wasteful in front of goal. In the second minute, the Stoke defence was caught asleep and a good save by Kitteridge prevented an early disaster. Five minutes later, a similar situation occurred when the visitors’ Marco Adaggio sprung clear of the defence. As Kitteridge advanced, he pulled his shot across goal, going just wide of the post. City had the best of the conditions in the first half, as Stoke were defending into the teeth of driving wind and rain. They were struggling to clear their lines, unable to reach the halfway line out of defence. Their first move forward came on 15 minutes, with some neat play involving Tucknott, Jombarti and Hankin, but the move produced no end result.

The visitors earned a free kick near the corner flag, but as the ball was swung in the referee spotted an infringement and Stoke were able to clear. 19 minutes in saw a bursting run from Tucknott, but his shot from the edge of the box went wide of the keeper’s right post. Craig Wilding for the visitors saw a 30 yard shot collected well by Kitteridge in the greasy conditions. Approaching the half hour, another Tucknott run earned Stoke a corner. Bristow met the inswinging corner and headed wide. In the appalling conditions, the visitors tried to capitalise the advantage, Jordon Fitzpatrick having a shot saved by Kitteridge and a minute later Jamie Price stormed into the box unmarked, and when it seemed easier to score he somehow managed to pull his shot wide. City’s Matthew Dinsmore saw an excellent cross well intercepted by Aiden Lewis. As the half drew to a close City had not been able to find a way through the Stoke defence, and the latest of a number of free kicks on 37 minutes saw a flick on by Wilding pushed over the bar by Kitteridge. There followed a succession of corners before Stoke were able to clear the danger. Troy Wood dispossessed Aiden Lewis in his own half and stormed down the left side, but could not outpace Tucknott, who got back to get in a good challenge. 3 minutes to go before half time, a good Stoke move finished in a shot by Sean Hankin high over the bar. In first half injury time, Jamie Price was booked for a foul on Sam Tucknott, who must be the most fouled player in this division. Half time Basingstoke Town 0 Worcester City 0

The second half saw totally different conditions, the rain having given way to a fine evening and the wind blowing less strongly, City not encountering the difficulties that Stoke had in the first half. City were out of the blocks, forcing a corner in the first minute, the incoming corner resulting in a free kick for the home side. At the other end Tom Williamson saw his 30 yard shot go harmlessly over the bar. 4 minutes into the half, James Faulkner collected the ball on the edge of the box, turned and shot, only to see his effort deflected for a corner.

Town were now dominating the play, a long range effort from Williamson went wide. As Stoke pressurised, they were limited to shots from distance as the visiting keeper, Mcdonnell, watched a James Faulkner effort go wide. As Tucknott approached the box, he was fouled by Troy Wood, but the visiting keeper easily collected the free kick. A long clearance by Dolan was held up on the half way line by Faulkner, who set Tucknott away, and again just as he reached the edge of the box, it took two visiting defenders to stop his progress and the ball ricocheted off him for a goal kick. On the hour , Stoke earned a corner, the City keeper punching out for a further corner, Jombarti eventually heading over. The first substitution of the game came after 62 minutes, the visitors replacing Troy Wood with Gary Walker. James Faulkner charged down a pass from the visitors’ Ollie Barnes, took the ball to the byline and crossed but no-one could meet. 20 minutes into the half, the visitors’ Jordon Fitzpatrick found his way into the referee’s notebook for a foul. 2 minutes later, a wind assisted clearance from Ross Kitteridge forced his opposite number to catch the ball above his head. City had precious few forays forward but a promising move was halted by Bristow and Dolan between them.

With 20 minutes to go, Carl Gibbs replaced Phil Ruggles for the home side. Stoke had had a good second half but as it came to a close, the visitors applied more pressure, looking for the three points. City’s number 7 Matthew Dinsmore shot into the Stoke box, nobody prepared to tackle him, but fortunately the move finished in an off side, removing the pressure from the home team. At the other end, Tucknott was again involved in a good Stoke move, assisted by Jombarti and Williamson, whose cross was headed over by Jombarti. City’s Dinsmore appeared to have got free of the Stoke defence, but the ever reliable Joe Dolan checked his progress. With 12 minutes remaining City had a corner, as Stoke cleared, a rifling shot came in and as the ball was going goalbound, Jombarti somehow headed off the line. 7 minutes from time, City had a couple of free kicks, one of which earned James Faulkner a booking, the eventual free kick being shot wide by Price. 3 minutes later, the referee’s notebook and pencil was out again, city’s Adaggio the culprit this time. In injury time the City keeper came out to clear the ball as Gibbs was bearing down, Gibbs seemed to go in on him rather high and the keeper went down clutching his leg.

After the final whistle , there was a bit of pushing and shoving involving both of the teams. All in all, not one of the best games to be seen on the Camrose, but after three defeats, stoke earn a point and did not concede. Full time Basingstoke Town 0 Worcester City 0

Basingstoke: Ross Kitteridge, Aiden Lewis, Robbie Watkins, Jason Bristow, Joe Dolan, Sean Hankin, Sam Tucknott, Tom Williamson, James Faulkner, Sido Jombarti, Phil Ruggles Subs: David Tarpey, Jamie Lovegrove, Jide Ogunbote, Carl Gibbs, Adam Amiable.

Attendance: 312, Man of the Match: Ross Kitteridge.