Basingstoke Town 4, Whitchurch United 1

BASINGSTOKE Town booked a place in the third round of the Hampshire Senior Cup, but not before Whitchurch United had given them a scare.

Three second half goals, including the final one from a penalty from goalkeeper Scott Tarr, won it for Town after Whitchurch had gone in at half-time all square at 1-1.

Town got the start they wanted, opening the scoring after 13 minutes as Neville Roach headed home after an Alex Ewin free-kick crashed off the bar and was headed back into the danger area by Steve Hemmings.

Home striker Roach could have had a hat-trick by the break if it was not for two superb saves from Whitchurch's Dave Smalley.

However, the visitors' defensive trio of Gary Shaughnessy, Gary Stockwell and Steve Caswell stood firm and limited Town's opportunities.

In between Roach's two efforts, the visitors equalised as Marcus Williams got behind the home defence and fed Andy Hackett. He laid the ball back to Cliff Power and, from 25 yards, he let fly. The ball came back off the crossbar and hit Town 'keeper Tarr on the back before ending up in the net.

Just before the break, Williams had Whitchurch's second chance, shooting wide as the visitors gained heart from their goal.

On 55 minutes, Town made it 2-1 as Roach's cross was put away by John Dyer - his first goal for the club.

Soon after, Basingstoke man-of-the-match Barry Elmore's shot from 25 yards out was pushed away by Smalley.

However, from the corner Ewin delivered and Craig McAllister rose to head home from close range.

That ended the contest, but the visitors never gave up and, on 83 minutes, they had their best chance of the second half.

Hackett sent Chris Iddles clear and forced Tarr to push away the ball only as far as James Hemmings. He beat his brother Steve to the ball and fed across the face of goal, but Williams shot over.

The final goal of the game came two minutes later as McAllister was brought down by Caswell in the area.

Goalkeeper Tarr ran the length of the field and, with many thinking he would blast the spot kick, he calmly ran up and slotted the ball into the net.

On the down side for Town, midfielder Efon Elad limped off after 25 minutes with a groin injury.

Town boss Ernie Howe said: "This was a nice win and something we have not done at home this season. The second goal was vital for us and full credit to them for their performance."

The boss also had praise for man-of-the-match Elmore, who worked hard on his full debut. He said: "Barry has done well today and has adapted well to the first team."

Basingstoke Town: Tarr, Ray, Dickens, Elmore, Hemmings, Allaway, Ewin, Elad (sub Herbert 25min), McAllister, Roach, Dyer (sub Martin 78min). Subs (not used): Bristow, Watkins.

Whitchurch United: Smalley, Hemmings, Power (sub Hack 73min), Andrews (sub Glennister 60min), Pitts, Shaughnessy, Stockwell, Iddles, Hackett, Williams, Caswell. Subs (not used): Dinham.

Lucky 7, Game number 10, Saturday November 1. Result - no winner.