DORCHESTER TOWN 0

BASINGSTOKE TOWN 3

Owusu 43, Redford 54pen, Deadfield 90+1

A BRAVE effort from Mark Jermyn’s side proved not enough as they were knocked out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Basingstoke Town.

The Magpies’ endeavour and creativity was there for all to see, especially during the opening 40 minutes at the Avenue, and they continued to have their fair share of chances against their full-time opposition in the second half.

But, ultimately, a stunning free-kick from visiting substitute Nana Owusu just short of half time, a penalty from striker Aaron Redford and a late effort from Sam Deadfield meant that, for all the county town side’s promising signs, they still exited the national competition.

The Magpies made three changes to their starting XI from the 2-0 defeat to Kings Langley last Saturday.

Having got through 90 minutes for the reserves against Basingstoke under-21s in midweek, player-boss Jermyn returned to replace Dory Yates, who dropped to the bench.

Neil Martin also came back in in place of Ben Wood, and there was an Avenue return for midfielder Franklyn Clarke, who had re-joined after leaving York City by mutual consent earlier in the week.

He came in for Mario Mateus, who picked up an injury last weekend and was only judged fit enough for the bench.

And in what was a dominant opening spell from Jermyn’s men that Clarke, who operated in a free role behind the striker, only took five minutes to showcase his skills on his second spell at the Avenue.

The midfielder burst down the right and crossed after a precise ball from Yeovil loanee Ollie Bassett, but Clarke’s delivery was cleared away from head of Nathan Walker by a covering defender. County town striker Walker then headed over moments later.

And just five minutes later, the duo of Clarke and Walker almost linked up again in what was a huge shout for a penalty to the home side.

Clarke’s delivery from the right again caused problems as it was sent in to Walker, who went down under a challenge from Basingstoke’s Joe Gater. Nothing was given by referee Matthew Lee.

It was then Bassett’s turn to swing another cross in from the right hand side and his deep delivery found Walker. The Avenue frontman must have thought he had scored but was denied by a point-blank save from Alex Tokarczyk in the Basingstoke goal.

With Basingstoke’s Charlie Kennedy unable to shake off an earlier knock, the away side were forced into a change on 26 minutes, meaning Owusu was brought off the bench.

The home side continued to control proceedings though, and they came within inches of opening the scoring. A curling effort from midfielder Lewis Morgan clipped the outside of the post before Tom Blair forced a save after shifting the ball onto his left foot from inside the area.

But for all the Magpies’ good work, the sucker-punch then came as Basingstoke took the lead with their first shot on goal.

A cheap free-kick was given away by the home side 25 yards out, and up stepped substitute Owusu to bend the ball into the top corner past goalkeeper Shane Murphy.

Basingstoke then swapped Richie Whittingham for Aaron Jarvis at the break and, after nine minutes of the second half, they doubled their lead from the penalty spot.

After the Magpies were carved open down the right, Shane Murphy was beaten to the ball by striker Aaron Redford and he brought the frontman down.

Referee Lee pointed straight to the spot, and up stepped Redford to convert and make it 2-0.

Jermyn and Morgan then made way for David Jerrard and Mateus, as a couple of fine saves from Tokarczyk somehow kept his clean sheet intact soon after.

A free-kick from Magpies’ skipper Jake Smeeton was well held from 30 yards out. That came after Bassett was replaced by fellow Yeovil loanee, Joe Lea.

It was not to be the hosts’ day in front of goal and that was summed up when Walker failed to turn the ball home after Mateus has almost put it on a plate for him with another dazzling delivery.

And, just to rub salt in the Magpies’ wounds, Basingstoke’s Deadfield tucked away his second in two games for the away side, making it 3-0 in stoppage time with an effort from range which keeper Murphy may have felt he could have done better with.

Magpies: Murphy, Jermyn (Jerrard 58), Smeeton, Martin, Oldring, Dillon, Clarke, Morgan (Mateus 58), Walker, Bassett (Lea 78), Blair. Subs not used: Yates, Wood

Basingstoke: Tokarczyk, Johnson-Schuster, Kennedy (Owusu 26), R Atkinson, Gater, Ray, Deadfield, Partridge, Rose (M Atkinson 64), Redford, Whittingham (Jarvis 46). Subs not used: Hallahan, Greene

Bookings: None

Referee: Matthew Lee (Chichester)

Attendance: 306