James Walshaw handed Boro a 1-0 lead at the break with a strike at the near post.Nat Watson levelled for Basford midway through the second half. Both sides then had chances to win it but ultimately were unable to find a way to break the deadlock.

Basford made three changes to their starting line-up following their 2-0 defeat to South Shields last time out. Callum Chettle, Courey Grantham and James Reid all came into the side in place of Liam Hearn, Josh Law and Lewis Carr.

Chris Dawson had a good chance inside the opening ten minutes, many of the home fans thought he had actually scored but his driven effort was in the side netting. Reid then had two efforts well held by Thomas Taylor from distance.

Up the other end the hosts came close to taking the lead. Luke Lofts found himself unmarked just outside the six-yard box but he could only put his volleyed effort was inches over the bar.

Just before the half hour mark the hosts went in front. Similar to their earlier chance they worked the ball out to the right and this time Walshaw was picked out in the middle and he was able to squeeze the ball past Kieran Preston.

From the restart Basford were almost level. Grantham forced Taylor into a good stop at his near post and the rebound fell to Chettle but his effort was mishit and went over the bar.

Basford continued to probe the Boro defence but it was the hosts who had the better chances before the half time whistle. Michael Coulson beat his man down the right and cut inside before seeing his low shot blocked. Walshaw then had another chance minutes later but he could not double his sides lead before the break.

Taylor was at his best at the start of the second half to keep out Basford. Grantham who had been lively all game was played in on goal but was kept out by the feet of the Boro ‘keeper.

Up the other end the ball deflected through into the path of Walshaw but just got away from the goal scorer and Preston was able to gather it.

There were then shouts for both a penalty and red card from the Basford players. Jack Thomas was dragged down by Isacc Assenso. The referee ignored those shouts, giving a free kick and showing a yellow card to the Boro defender. Matt Thornhill steps up and smashes the free kick back off the cross bar.

After a good spell of pressure from the hosts Basford drew level. Callum Chettle burst away down the right and hung the ball up for Watson to come in and head the ball past Taylor and into the bottom corner.

Preston pulled off a great save to keep the scores level with little over ten minutes left. Walshaw found himself with both time and space to shoot but was denied excellently by the ‘keeper who got off his line well to make the save.

Preston was needed again with just two minutes left. The ‘keeper was at full stretch to deny Boro substitute George Walmsley before Liam Bateman cleared the resulting corner off the line.

The hosts pushed for a later winner but the Basford back line stood strong to hold on for a point.

Starting XI: 1- Preston, 2- Bateman, 3- Wilson, 4- Thornhill, 5- Gascoigne, 6- Galinski, 7- Thomas (Richards), 8- Chettle (Law), 9- Grantham, 10- Watson, 11- Reid (Carr)

Up Next: HOME vs Gainsbury Trinity
5/10/2019
Kick. Off- 3:00pm