BASINGSTOKE Town will have to do it the hard way and beat arch rivals Aldershot at The Recreation Ground if they are to reach the final of the Hampshire Cup.

That is the tough task Ernie Howe's side have to perform on April 5 after they surrendered a two-goal interval advantage on Tuesday night to eventually draw 2-2 with the Conference outfit.

In a thrilling first-leg semi-final at the Camrose in front of 610 fans, Town raced ahead thanks to Tobi Jinadu's own goal and Neville Roach's lob, only to see Terry Brown's men hit back with a Scott Randall brace scored in 11 second-half minutes.

It all means that in a fortnight's time the winner takes all - local bragging rights and a place in the April 27 final at AFC Bournemouth's Dean Court.

Town assistant manager Pete Peters believes there is no reason why it cannot be Basingstoke who claim those rewards.

He said: "If you like, it's 'half-time' in the tie and there's still all to play for. It will be difficult but we can still make the final and we will go there with every confidence we can do it.

"It would have been nice to have taken a lead to Aldershot, because I feel we deserved to. We played some great stuff, matched a good side all over the park and could quite easily have been 4-0 up at half-time. It wouldn't have flattered us at all.

"It's finely balanced now and you feel a bit down because we were leading, playing some very good football only to concede two rather scrappy goals. Aldershot didn't have to play their best to get them and that's the most disappointing thing."

Strikers Neville Roach and Martin Whiddett were singled out by Peters for the way they dominated the Shots' Jinadu and Brett Johnson.

"Roachy was on fire and they couldn't live with him, while Martin had his best game in some time, closing down the defenders and getting in among them."

Aldershot boss Terry Brown similarly praised his striker for the two goals that set up an exciting return leg.

He said: "I gave my players a roasting at half-time because I wasn't happy with our level of commitment and energy levels. As soon as we increased those we got back in it.

"I was pleased with Scott Randall because he was one of those I had strong words with at half-time. His goals have given us a draw I felt we deserved."

Brown added: "I fielded a strong side because we want to win this competition. Fair play to Basingstoke, they played very well and I expect them to in the second leg.

"The winner takes all at the Rec but before then we have some important league games if we're to make the play-offs."

Peters believes those matches - against Stevenage, Burton Albion and Woking - could have a major impact on the Shots' approach to the second semi-final.

"If they don't go well, then Aldershot may rest some bigger players for the semi-final because of their remaining Conference games."