Hayes kept their unbeaten record in 2007 intact with a battling draw against relegation haunted Basingstoke Town at The Camrose on Saturday.

Manager Kevin Hill understandably kept faith with the same eleven players who earned a 5-0 win at Weston-Super-Mare the previous Wednesday and they made a confident start. Just three minutes in, good pressure from young striker Stafforde Palmer harassed former Missioner Steve Dell into making a mistake while trying to pass back to keeper Stuart Searle and his hurried clearance landed straight at Daniel Dyer’s feet. The winger sent a shot straight back but it just missed the target by inches.

It took a while for the home side to create any significant pressure. Robert Watkins crossed from the left wing and Jack Haverson just managed to steer the ball behind and away from the advancing forwards. From the corner, Dell’s cross was met by David Ray but his header was just too high.

After 15 minutes Hayes broke the deadlock (pictured right). Palmer ran at the defence and his shot was deflected into Dyer’s path, he then sent in an angled drive which Searle fumbled at the near post and Michael Bartley was on hand to bundle the ball home.

The Missioners lead was short lived however, as in the very next attack, Jomo Faal-Thomas upended James Taylor in the penalty area and Michael Warner converted the penalty with ease sending Kevin Davies the wrong way.

Kevin Davies was called upon to retain parity with a double save twice denying David Ray. From the corner, Christian Levis thought he’d scored only for skipper Adam Logie to block his effort on the goal line.

Scott Fitzgerald got a shot in which Davies blocked as the home team were getting on top, and Ray somehow picked out Davies with the whole goal gaping when he latched onto Warner’s centre.

Just before half time, Hayes had a great chance when Jason Bristow missed his header allowing Bartley to go through on goal, Searle blocked his low shot and also Liam Feeney’s effort from the loose ball.

The second half descended into something of a stalemate as both defences were on top for long periods. Davies tipped over a Warner free kick at full stretch and Ryan Ashe made Searle stretch low to his left with a 20 yard drive.

Substitute Kieran Knight had the visitors best second half chance when he connected with Will Hendry’s free kick, but again Searle was equal to it with a diving save.

Both sides seemed to struggle with the wet conditions and heavy pitch as the match wore on and although Hayes had a succession of injury time corners to contend with, neither goalkeeper had any further shots to save.

Report by Nick Bell.

Photos by Ray Peploe.