A Jahson Downes strike ten minutes from time salvaged a point for Basingstoke Town in their 1-1 draw with Weston-super-Mare.
But manager Frank Gray must have been wondering how his side failed to return home with all three points in an entertaining encounter on Saturday.
The result ended Town’s 100% away record in 2010 with the second half typical of many recent home encounters against Weston - with Frank Gray’s side firmly on top. Dragons ‘keeper Richard Barnard was a spectator for most of the half but at the other end giant shotstopper Kevin Sawyer pulled off some decent saves, and his defence timely blocks and clearances from the line. The home side came tearing out of the blocks and had clearly done their homework, a big side from ‘keeper out, they pinned Town into their own half as the Dragons could not get the ball over the half-way line. And it was the hosts who took the lead on ten minutes as Darren Mullings swept home Ben Cleverly’s free kick.
But Town, who had won each of their previous games on the road, responded well. Dave Pratt and Mitchell Bryant began to run at the Weston defence, unnerving them and they were unlucky not to restore parity minutes before the interval. Weston, who had stood firm until now, buckled under the relentless pressure, with Josh Ford bringing down Bryant in the area.
Gary Frewen took the spot kick, never looking confident as he placed the ball and struck his 12 yard kick wide of the upright. Intent on salvaging a draw, the Dragons came out in the second half breathing fire and forcing their opponents to defend deeper, often with all eleven behind the ball, leaving Town with little chance of conceding a breakaway. But the Town onslaught proved too much for the hosts and ten minutes from time they did get the goal their dominance had deserved.
