Stockton Town fell to defeat Basford United despite a fast start in Nottingham.
Stephen Thompson gave the Anchors the lead inside the first minute but Basford equalised just after the quarter hour mark through Jordan Hallam.
Following relentless pressure in the second half, Basford found the decider through Ash Chambers.
Basford missed the opportunity to add daylight when Hallam’s penalty struck the post.
Michael Dunwell named a practically unchanged Starting XI from Saturday with Nathan Harker coming in for Elliott Stephenson between the sticks.
The game had barely got going, and Stockton had the lead when Thompson robbed the ball from the last defender before he drove forward and fired past Saul Deeney.
Stockton had the ball in the net again when Kev Hayes was alert in the six-yard box but it was ruled out for offside.
Basford struck a leveller when neat work ended when a low shot from Hallam located the bottom corner.
As the half wore on, Basford got more to grips with the game and dictated the game at a frantic pace.
The only opportunity Stockton found was a freekick from Glen Butterworth which hit the wall.
Basford’s best chance came six minutes before halftime when a drive from Bermuda International Kacy Butterfield deflected off Adam Nicholson and rifled off the post.
Half-Time: Basford United 1-1 Stockton Town
Basford came out of the traps in the second half in a determined mood. The Lions caused a number of problems down the flanks and forced a number of corners which the Anchors kept at bay.
On 52 minutes, a scramble in the box was crucially poked away by Harker.
A couple of minutes later, Basford went close again when Hallam’s freekick clipped the bar.
Another chance went for Basford when Josh Barnes was played through but his effort was saved excellently by the foot of Harker.
Stockton finally succumbed to the Basford pressure when a low ball from substitute McKeal Abdullah was converted by Chambers in the six-yard box.
Basford were then handed the opportunity to increase their lead when Richards darted into the box and was felled by Baggs.
Hallam stepped up but struck the post and Stockton remained alive in the game.
Stockton’s unfortunate evening was summed up when Scott went down holding his hamstring and had to be forced off.
The Anchors threw everything at it in search for an equaliser but came up short. Their best chances came when Owen Gallcher’s cross narrowly missed the head of Baggs.
Coulthard had a huge chance in the box but saw his goalbound effort blocked.
Full-Time: Basford United 2-1 Stockton Town
Basford United: Deeney, Ridgeley, Nicholson, Mancinelli, Anderson (Burton 46’)(Wade 62’), Barnes, Richards (Dacres 78’), Butterfield, Waite (Abdullah 69’), Hallam, Chambers
Unused Subs: Woodward
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Painter, Nicholson, Coulthard, Sweet (Fowler 60’), Butterworth, Scott (Gallacher 81’), Thompson (Leech 60’), Hayes (Roberts 81’)
Unused Subs: Purewal
Goals: 0-1, 1 min, Thompson; 1-1, 17 min, Hallam; 2-1, 72 min, Chambers.
Attendance: 243
Photo: Harry Cook
Words: James Cartwright
