James Clifton gave Basford a deserved lead in the first half, volleying the ball home from close range. However, Chapman’s strike from range clipped the inside of the post before nestling in the top corner.

Grantham started the game on the front foot as they pushed forward straight from kick-off.

After a wide delivery flew over everyone, a ball back in from the opposite side was met by the head of James Williamson, who failed to direct his close-range header on target.

From that point, Basford took control of proceedings, coming close inside ten minutes as Rev James headed a cross back across goal into the path of Kane Richards, whose scuffed shot struck Marcus Marshall before going behind.

Just minutes later, another Wilson delivery from out wide caused problems.

This time, a corner came in from the right which was met by Saturday’s goalscorer Dom Roma, though the Grantham goalkeeper saved his effort before scrambling the ball clear after a fracas on the goal line.

However, their surge in momentum was halted on twenty minutes as captain Matt Thornhill was substituted following a nasty clash of heads.

Thornhill’s removal didn’t halt Basford as Rev James came close on the half-hour mark, curling an effort narrowly wide of the far post from the corner of the Grantham box.

Steve Chettle's men were rewarded for their pressure just a minute later when another delivery from out wide, this time from James, found the feet of Alex Howes.

His shot was well blocked by Nico DiGirolamo with the ball breaking nicely to James Clifton, who made no mistake from close range as he fired the ball home and United lead at the break, perhaps not indicative of United’s utter domination.

The visitors started the second half as they ended the first as Richard’s influence grew on the game and just four minutes into the half he broke into the box.

Looking destined to score, he lined up a shot before being met by a perfectly timed challenge from Joshua Meade sent the ball away from danger.

Within a minute Basford had the best chance of the game as James fired a shot across the goal which found Howes at the back post just three yards out.

The midfielder tried to direct the ball goalward first time but saw his effort loop hopelessly over the bar, much to the dismay of his teammates.

However, despite Basford’s persistent dominance, Grantham found themselves level 20 minutes into the second half.

A big fixture of the game was Grantham’s tendency to shoot from range, creating very little inside the box, and found success as the ball broke to Chapman around 30 yards out as he allowed the ball to bounce before striking a half-volley which left Adam Collin stranded, pinging off the post before finding the back of the net.

Grantham began to grow into the game from that point as a frequent conveyer belt of chances was replaced by an intense, immovable battle in midfield leading to a nervy, rather ugly end to the game.

The game came to a close with neither side able to break their counterparts down, the spoils shared in bitterly disappointing fashion for United, who had the better of the chances and possession.

Next up for Basford is the visit of Stourbridge as the FA Cup returns to Greenwich Avenue.

ATTENDANCE: 270