The hosts dominated for most of the game but were unable to find a way past a well organised United back line. Up the other end Jamie Walker had several efforts saved by Lewis King as they looked without success to leave with all three points.

Steve Chettle made two changes from the side that beat Rushcliffe Borough last time out. James Reid and Jack Thomas dropped to the bench and are replaced by Josh Law and Lewis Carr.

The game started slowly and without either ‘keeper being called into action until the 21st minute when King was forced to push away Walker’s driven effort. Before that both sides had one effort apiece which Matt Thornhill and Jack Sherratt put wide for their respective sides.

Both sides struggled to maintain any real possession for the remainder of the half and that brought with it no clear-cut chances. Callum Chettle mishit a volley on the edge of the area after a good move and up the other end Evan Garnett saw an effort dip just over the bar after creating himself some room to shoot.

Louis Briscoe came the close to breaking the deadlock towards the end of the half, curling a free kick just wide of the post before Keiran Preston pulled off a great save to ensure the two sides went into the break goalless.

Stafford started the second half on the front foot with Sherratt heading just over the bar before shooting wide of the post from range. Up the other end Jamie Walker saw an effort from a tight angle easily saved by King before Kane Richards had a shot blocked following a smart turn inside the box.

Sherratt continued to cause Basford issues and with little over 20 minutes left on the clock he saw his header blocked on the line by Law. After Richards had an effort deflect off his team mate, Basford were on the defensive again. Several corners in a row pinballed around in the area before the pressure was relieved by the referee awarding a free kick in their favour.

Walker had a looping free kick tipped over the bar by King and after some sustained pressure from the hosts, King was called into action again saving at the feet of Richards deep into added time to ensure the game finished goalless.

Starting XI: 1-Preston, 2-Law, 3- Roma, 4- Carr, 5-Gascoigne, 6- Galinski, 7- Richards, 8-Chettle (Thomas), 9- Watson (Grantham), 10- Thornhill, 11- Walker

Up Next: Away vs Matlock Town (FA Cup)
07/09/2019
Kick-Off 3:00pm

Written by Harry Worgan