Blair Anderson, making his first start looked lively & opened his Basford account with a goal in the 83rd minute, a well taken low shot giving keeper Thackley keeper Ben Higginson no chance after great flank work by THeo Smith.

On 87 minutes the impressive Martin Holt's far post header put Basford in control and Tyiesse Nightingale added the finishing touch, scoring his twentieth goal of the season with almost the last kick of the game.

In the first half, Theo Smith gave Basford the lead half an hour in, breaking clear to beat Higginson, showing a new found composure in recent weeks to bury well. The lead lasted barely ten minutes as Damian Hopkins found space to level with a header from a set play.

Nightingale had a goal disallowed for offside and Higginson saved well from Lee Hendrie, Nightingale and Francis Green, both goalkeepers did much to keep the scores level. United keeper Ali Barcherini received an uneccessary knee to the jaw in one brave save that cost him two front teeth in a dangerous challenge that lacked much Christmas spirit apart from by the match official who only deemed it a yellow. Fair to say Ali Barcherini spending the early night at the emergency dentist hopefully won't spoil his good looks. Barcherini kept his composure to make a fine save denying Luke Hudson with his legs late on with the scores locked at 1-1 that proved pivotal.

Basford assistant manager Chris Freestone said: "It was an excellent hard working performance, we played some good football and scored some very well taken goals."
Freestone singled out Theo Smith for praise "Theo had a great game and was involved in many of our attacks but it was above all a good team performance, which we now need to carry on into our future games."

Match report to follow