Basingstoke Town Res 3, Dulwich Hamlet 3

MANAGER Peter Gray was pleased with the character shown by his young Town players on Saturday in a difficult Suburban League game against the form team of the premier division.

Rob Deacon came up in the second minute of injury time to snatch a point at the end after Dulwich controlled the game for long spells.

They looked the more experienced side and it was no surprise when they went in front after eight minutes.

Michael Corbett looked a class act up front and he gave a warning of his ability to test 'keeper Michael Watkins before he tucked away a cross from Rob O'Connor to give Dulwich the lead.

Only a fine late tackle from Simon Herbert stopped Corbett on a run at goal and soon after Watkins pulled off a fine save from a 30-yard shot from Mark McGibbon.

Then, in the 38th minute, Jason Graham darted through the middle to take a through-ball from Ben Sumner and Basingstoke were level.

Junior Camara, prominent in the Dulwich midfield, headed an easy chance straight at Watkins soon after half-time. Then, when he saw Watkins 20 yards off his line, he tried a 50-yard lob but, fortunately for the home side, it drifted a foot past the post.

There was no let-off in the 66th minute when dangerous sub Chris Hubbard scored within a minute of his introduction. Watkins could only half-save a close-range effort from O'Connor but, soon after, he stopped a certain goal from the same player.

Ross Norgate came on as sub' for Basingstoke in the 75th minute and headed against the bar. Then a raid down the left from Craig Martin brought a fine cross and Jason Graham managed to get in front of his man to put away the chance in the 83rd minute.

In the 89th minute, Dulwich struck again through full-back Russell Bedford after being put through by O'Connor. But, to Basingstoke's credit, they put on a lot of pressure in the closing minutes and were rewarded when a low shot by Jamie Thornton was fumbled and Deacon seized on the rebound to crash high into the net for the equaliser.

Basingstoke Reserves are away to Hayes Reserves tomorrow.

Basingstoke Reserves: Watkins, Herbert, Monger, Elmore, Deacon, Ben Sumner (sub Norgate), Martin, Brunt, Graham, Butler, Thornton. Subs not used: Wellman, Vickery, Urquhart, Martins.