Basingstoke Town 0, Bracknell Town 0

A FRUSTRATED Ernie Howe said his Town side were fortunate to be in the FA Cup following Saturday's stalemate with Bracknell.

The two teams meet again tomorrow (7.45pm) at Bracknell's Larges Lane ground to decide who will progress into the fourth qualifying round.

Yet Howe was at a loss to explain why his young team had again struggled at home - and against lower-league opposition too.

In a tie devoid of the passion usually associated with the FA Cup, Town's current lethargy at the Camrose was evident. Were it not for Blues goalkeeper Scott Tarr, Town would not have another opportunity to beat Bracknell.

It was the 84th minute when Tarr made a fantastic, full-length save diving to his left to turn James Glynn's low 18-yard free-kick around the post.

Then, minutes later, Nathan Wallace lost possession and Jon Palmer wasted no time sprinting down the wing. His centre was touched on by Ricky Allaway, attempting to clear, straight to the unmarked Neil Selby just eight yards out.

Selby contrived to fire high and wide and Town were off the hook.

Howe gave his players a good talking-to in the dressing room after the game.

He emerged to say: "We didn't get beaten, but I think we should have.

"That free-kick save from Scotty was awesome. When he's like that he's the best goalie in our league.

"It's been a frustrating afternoon. We are lucky to still be in the hat and it's going to have to be a very professional performance on Tuesday if we are going to do well."

Town were without three of their best and most experienced players - Neville Stamp, Craig McAllister and Rob Kember.

Stamp pulled his hamstring in the latter stages of Thursday's training session and is out for a minimum of 10 days. McAllister is suffering a calf injury, while Kember is still injured.

Howe said: "Today has shown us we are short of quality when we have injuries. We don't have replacements for Macca or Stampy. They are vital to my side and we clearly missed them out there.

"But I can't make changes. The same players will have to go to Bracknell, roll up their sleeves and perform better."

Town defender Steve Hemmings may also miss tomorrow's game. He left the pitch in the second half with a facial injury that required a hospital x-ray on Saturday night.

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, Ian Dickens, Ricky Allaway, David Ray, Jason Bristow, Steve Hemmings (sub Nathan Wallace 48min), Nathan Stamp, Efon Elad, John Dyer (sub Jason Graham 78min), Neville Roach, Alex Ewin. Subs not used: Steve Laidler, Michael Watkins.