BASINGSTOKE 2, HASLEMERE 2 (Hants/Surrey Regional 1)

GRAHAM Stopher scored a superb last-minute equaliser for Haslemere in a pulsating match against Basingstoke.

Top scorer Nic Cope gave Haslemere the lead in this see-saw battle. A fine move down the right found Hugo Chandler free in the D and, with good composure, he picked out Cope who was anticipating the pass on the back post.

Cope’s on-target shot seemed to have been heroically defended by Basingstoke, but the umpire adjudged the ball to have hit a player’s body, stopping a goal-scoring opportunity. A penalty flick was awarded and Cope duly converted.

Basingstoke were fast on the break, but found man-of-the-match Nick Bull hard to beat in goal. A particular highlight was Bull’s save in the second half when he spread himself wide to deny Basingstoke in a one-on-one.

However, Dean Record cancelled out Haslemere’s lead and the home team looked to have clinched the points when Grant Rouse put them ahead in the 53rd minute.

But the Blues kept pressing and won a short corner in the dying seconds. The full-time whistle went while the visitors were setting up the routine, so it was now or never for the men in blue.

And it was a dramatic finale. The first effort was saved, but the ball fell to Chris Fox who coolly placed it to the back post where the waiting Stopher roofed a fierce shot, sparking wild celebrations amongst his team-mates.

Haslemere will need to be at their very best this Saturday when they host London Academicals at Woolmer Hill (1.45pm). The Londoners are four points clear at the top of the league and have lost only once in 13 matches.