Boss Steve King made just one change from the eleven which had started the previous Saturday against Eastleigh, with Simon Wormull's troublesome ankle meaning that Paul Kennett started in the centre of the park.  The home side had a strong wind at their backs in the first period, and with passing football difficult on a hard and bumpy surface, there was not much by way of goalmouth action until the Rooks fell behind just past the midway point of the half.  One of many miscued passes fell kindly for Scott Fitzgerald, and his low shot from the edge of the area beat 'keeper Michael Jordan.

After the break the visitors piled on the pressure and deservedly equalised with just over twenty minutes remaining, when Groves lobbed the ball home from eight yards after a free kick from the halfway line by Anthony Barness had caused confusion in the home defence.  They were then unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty after a blatant handball in the area seen by everyone in the ground apart from the match officials.

However after that let-off, Basingstoke came back into the game as play became ever more stretched.  Indeed had James Taylor's near post volley ten minutes from time at the end of the a flowing move been a couple of inches lower, they might well have claimed all three points.  Instead it rattled against the crossbar, and Eastbourne's draw with Bath leaves the Rooks with the chance to have made absolutely sure of the title by this time next week.

Lewes: Jordan, Hamilton, Barness, Robinson, Simpemba, Drury, Kennett, Holloway, Binns, Booth, Groves.