BOREHAM Wood's 2-2 draw with Harlow in the FA Cup second qualifying round last Saturday resulted in Basingstoke Town having a 10-day break from Ryman League action.

Tuesday night's match against Boreham Wood at The Camrose was postponed because of the Cup replay and Ernie Howe's men will next play on Tuesday when they travel to Braintree Town in Essex.

No match is scheduled for Town tomorrow when there are just two Ryman premier division games because of England's World Cup qualifier with Greece at Old Trafford.

Town will turn the enforced break to their advantage, with the opportunity for players to recover from injuries and spend more time on the training pitch.

Manager Howe said: "It will be a bit frustrating not having played competitively for 10 days, especially with confidence high after the 60 win.

"We did get presented with a few alternatives to play other sides but we didn't take up such options.

"The break will give us time to get bodies back. Dominic (Naylor) was ill last week so hasn't been around but his injury will keep him sidelined, along with Steve Baker.

"Don Forbes is progressing well and Matt Hayfield took a whack on his knee but we can give those carrying little, aggravating injuries the chance to regain full fitness and get in contention for the programme ahead."

On the 60 FA Cup win over Corinthian Casual, Howe said: "It was paramount we progressed in the competition with the money involved.

"I did put some pressure on the players to perform and the second goal certainly helped us because we were getting a little bit frustrated and were a bit on edge.

"Psychologically, you can underestimate sides like this. They've got nothing to lose and I wanted the players to be motivated from the start.

"It's easy to say a result like this should have been expected against a team from a lower level but sides do come unstuck.

"But it was a very pleasing performance and we were very clinical. Jason Eaton took his goals well. It's what he's good at and I was also pleased for Jimmy Fraser.

"He took my decision to drop him like a man and he took his chance when it arose."