DAN Brownie’s first game in charge of Basingstoke Town saw his side return from AFC Totton with a well-deserved point, after it finished 0-0.
The caretaker boss made three changes to the starting line-up which lost at AFC Bournemouth with goalkeeper Chris Rackley coming back from suspension replacing Albert White. While Ryan Suckling and Reece Rusher returned in place of suspended pair Reuben Collins and Dean Stow.
The home side were given a great chance to open the scoring in the third minute, after Craig Feeney was fouled in the box.
However, they were denied as Rackley produced a great save low to his left to keep out Dave Allen’s spot kick.
Just five minutes later, the Dragons thought they had taken the lead, but Claudio Herbert’s effort was ruled offside.
The Stags goalkeeper Alex Cull was then called into action to save from Herbert and Rusher from distance.
The home side then had another chance created by Adam Everiss, but Herbert’s effort went over.
A great move by the visitors involving Harrison Cliff and Ben Wright saw Herbert fire just wide, as it remained 0-0.
Five minutes before the interval, Cull made an excellent save to deny Rusher.
Then on the stroke of half-time the Stags so nearly took the lead, but Allen’s header hit the crossbar.
Just after the hour mark, Allen tried his luck from distance, but Rackley was equal to it.
The home side continued to be the better side, but the introduction of sub Riccardo Andrady saw the Dragons force a corner.
On 74 minutes, Wright went down in the penalty area, no spot kick was given instead he was booked for diving.
Two minutes later, Wright fired just wide of the post as the visitor’s looked for the winner.
As the game entered the final minutes, Rackley made another good save to make sure of his clean sheet and another point on the road for Town.
This Saturday, the Dragons take a break from league action, with a trip to North Leigh in the FA Trophy.
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