Basingstoke Town’s dismal home form continued after they were held by Lewes on Saturday.
Without a win at the Camrose since October and still smarting from their 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Newport, Town made the worse possible start and were a goal down inside five minutes. While Jide Ogunbote levelled the scores shortly after the restart, neither side was able to find a winner.
Goalkeeper Ross Kitteridge kept his place in goal as regular stopper Richard Barnard remained sidelines through illness. But with four minutes on the clock he was picking the ball out of the back of the net as Joe Keehan rose to head home a corner after escaping the attentions of the ‘Stoke rearguard.
Town rallied and edged a first half poor on quality but the visiting keeper enjoyed an incident free opening. Just minutes after the interval, the home side were level. Jide Ogunbote met Matt Warner’s centre and sent the ball past the despairing dive of the Lewes stopper.
Sean Hankin was forced off the field for a matter of minutes with an injury shortly after an Town were unable to adjust, losing all their attacking purpose. With a man advantage, Lewes found their way back into the game and when Hankin returned the visitors were well into their groove and began to boss the game.
But still neither side was able to force a save until ten minutes from time, when Ogenbote stretched Rikki Banks with a measured effort while Robert Rice did well to prevent a clear chance at the other end.
