TOWN were denied a comprehensive win on Tuesday night by the heroics of Guildford and Godalming's young 'keeper Arjuna Adlan, who pulled off a string of excellent saves throughout this competitive encounter.

The home side took the lead from a corner in the seventh minute, some sloppy defending allowing Liam Keane to head down from 12 yards out. Mark Lisk blocked on the goal-line, only to present Greg Clements with a tap-in.

After this, Adlan was a thorn in Town's side as he continued to thwart the efforts of Sean Gorman, Richard Newbery and Rob Cook - who had an excellent first half - via some excellent blocks and brave saves at the feet of players following up.

It was a frustating time for Town but the Combined Counties side were playing well, using the offside trap to keep Newbery and Gorman at bay.

Godalming could have doubled their lead, when, after another set piece wasn't cleared, Andy Robson missed an easy volley.

The second half was an entirely different affair, as Town increased their pressure and began to interchange well via some slick passing moves.

Naylor and Lisk combined well down the left to present a chance to Jimmy Fraser, who shot over, while Naylor hit the upright after a drive on 50 minutes.

Lisk, showing excellent pace down the wing, centered from the byline for Newbery, but Adlan smothered at the feet of the striker.

Against his old club in the 57th minute, Sean Gorman was asked to leave the field after swearing at the ref, who was then far too lenient with the home side.

Two challenges went unpunished. Fraser was elbowed in the head by Stear, sparking an angry reaction from the Town bench, while Davis was taken out from behind by Rose.

Gorman's removal allowed Tim Sills to come on and he duly scored within five minutes, heading into an empty net following Fraser's cross, Adlan charging a long way for a ball he had no chance of getting.

Town continued to dominate with Mike Davis putting in some great work down the right.

It was 2-1 in the 81st minute when Gorman, back on the pitch, diverted Rob Cook's goal-bound header over the line following a Naylor corner.

The best move of the match was made in Bath. Davis put the ball into Cook, who flicked back to Fraser, Davis' former Bath City team-mate. He shot just wide form 25 yards on the volley.

Speaking afterwards Ernie Howe said: "We did a lot better. There was a lot more commitment and the players applied themselves well.

"At half-time I told the lads to use more width because they were catching us offside a lot in the first half and Mark Lisk and Mike Davis pushed up more in the second and we were more effective.

"It's definitely a performance that the lads will take a bit of confidence from."

Guildford and Godalming: Arjuna Adlan, Chris Atkins, Simon Rose, Andy Dear (sub Sean Lydon 45min), Vic Flynn, Greg Clements, Tim England (sub Jimmy Clarke 45min), Liam Keane, Sean Brown, Neil Munro (sub Matt Hatton 45min), Andy Robson (sub Roger Stear 45min).

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, Mike Davis, Jason Bristow, Chris Honor, Don Forbes, Mark Lisk (sub Glenn Howes 77min), Jimmy Fraser, Dominic Naylor, Rob Cook, Richard Newbery (sub Gorman 68min), Sean Gorman (replaced Tim Sills 57min). Subs not used: Steve Baker, Matt Elverson, Toby Sumner, Clive Lyttle.