Billericay Town 1 Basingstoke Town 0

MANY experts and critics from within the world of football believe that poor officiating decisions equal themselves out over the course of the season.

Well, Ernie Howe and his Basingstoke team must wish that a future referee presents them with a decision that caused the only breakthrough in this match, write Ian Trodd and John Gray.

A first-half penalty converted by Mark Graham was the only goal in this league encounter, which gave many traveling supporters much to contemplate on their long journeys home from Essex on Tuesday night.

Town's first-half display was very similar to their previous match against Boreham Wood, in which they created only a few worthwhile opportunities.

Alex Ewin was unfortunate with his chance on 31 minutes, when a cross-field pass from Neville Roach found the winger with space to control the ball inside the 18-yard box.

He adjusted his body and volleyed across goal, with the ball skimming around the far post.

A solo run from Ian Dickens on 45 minutes, which promised much and covered 30 yards, was wasted when the defender smashed his shot high and wide.

The goal for Billericay occurred when a ball into the area appeared to be cleared for a corner by Town's defence and the linesman on the far side agreed, however referee English pointed to the spot of an alleged foul.

Despite many questions asked amongst the supporters and press alike, it was unclear who had been fouled and who the accused was. Mark Graham certainly did not appeal and he converted his kick past Scott Tarr.

Town's first-half was made even more frustrating for the coaching bench when Neville Stamp limped off with a suspected hamstring injury and was replaced by Steve Hemmings.

The start of the second-half produced wave after wave of Basingstoke attacks and also saw the introduction of Jimmy Aschner for Alex Ewin.

With 46 minutes registered on the clock, Dickens pumped a ball up field to the league's top scorer Craig McAllister, but his strike from 25 yards was tipped over the crossbar by the sharp reflexes of Jerome John.

Just a minute later and with the obvious tactics of shooting at every opportunity being played by 'Stoke, Kevin Gibbens was unlucky to see his 18-yard snap shot fly over the bar.

McAllister, recently a trialist for both Luton Town and Queen's Park Rangers, could not believe his misfortune on 62 minutes, when the alert John denied him again.

It was Dickens again who played him in through the center, and with only the goalkeeper to beat, McAllister tried a cheeky lob but John jumped high and collected the ball with relative ease.

With the clock ticking, Billericay's Andy Douglas raced into the Town penalty box, leaving the opposing defence miles behind but with only Tarr to beat he struck his shot off the crossbar.

Basingstoke: Tarr, Ray, Stamp (sub Hemmings 24 mins), Gibbens, Dickens, Allaway, Howes, Elad, McAllister, Roach, Ewin (sub Aschner 45 mins.). Sub not used: Norgate.