Basingstoke made their first visit to Wheatsheaf Lane since 1996, as Staines attempted to halt a five-game winless run before taking on Millwall in their FA Cup replay.

Steve Cordery resisted any temptation to rest players wholesale, the only changes from midweek being Darty Brown’s inclusion for the suspended Risbridger, and Ali Chaaban’s return, in place of Richard Butler.

The pitch was in good condition despite a lot of rain in the previous 24 hours, and in fact more fell during the game, which began with Staines attacking the Penton Hook end on a cool, grey afternoon.

The appointed referee had hurt his back the previous night in his work as a fireman, and so was replaced by Andy Newell.

It was to be a frustrating afternoon, however, for the Swans and the crowd swelled by fans eager to take advantage of the club’s coach-for-free deal for Wednesday’s game.

They were on top for long periods of the game, retaining possession and stringing together some intricate passing moves, but they rarely tested ‘Stoke keeper Ross Kitteridge, and ended up 1-0 losers.

After half and hour of Swans supremacy, the first real scoring chance went the visitors’ way, as Mitchell Bryant nicked an awkwardly bouncing ball and raced in on goal, but Louis Wells spread himself well to avert the danger.

Then Howard Newton and Ali Chaaban clicked into gear, first combining together to set up a chance from which Mazin Ahmad might have opened his account, and then Newton almost rounded Kitteridge after Chaaban had exchanged passes with Leroy Griffiths.

But Basingstoke will wonder how they did not go in one up, as Jide Ogunbote seemed a cert to score when he guided his 42nd minute close-range header towards the corner of the net, only for Wells to get incredible extension on his outstretched arm to push the ball away.

Ten minutes into the second half, and it was Staines’ turn to consider themselves unlucky, as Brown lifted the ball into the box, and Marien Ifura looped a header over Kitteridge, only to see it bounce agonisingly on the top of the crossbar and over.

There was a 62nd minute warning for Staines, when the impressive David Pratt found space on the right and threaded over a low cross that wrongfooted Wells, who was pleased to see his skipper Danny Gordon backing up to effect the clearance from in front of goal.

But just a minute later, things did not work out so well for Staines, a s a cross from the left was met by a diving, glancing header from Jide Ogunbote, which found its way into the corner of the net.

In doing so, his head collided with Ifura, and went down requiring long treatment. Before he was eventually stretchered off in a groggy state, Staines had introduced Butler, and then Basingstoke subbed another player, before finally replacing the stricken striker before play resumed.

Three visiting players found their way into the ref’s book within the space of 13 minutes: Bryant for dissent, Franks for a punishing tackle which left Sterling holding his ankle, and skipper Price for a trip.

This last gave Staines a free-kick some 25 yards out, which sub Elliot Onochie took, only for the ball to clip a team-mate’s heels and fly just wide.

Onochie was unlucky again when he dispossessed a defender only to see both his shot and Griffiths’ rebound blocked by Fraser Franks. No less than 8 minutes were added, mostly for the goalscorer’s injury, meaning that the game did not end until almost 5pm (it had kicked off a few minutes late, too).

But although Onochie saw a 95th minute drive saved by Kitteridge following more neat passing in the box between Chaaban and Griffiths, it was not enough time for Staines to rescue a point.

Staines: Wells, Jackson (Thomas 82), Sterling, Gordon ©, Ifura, D Brown, Newton (Onochie 82), Ahmad (Butler 63), Scarlett, Chaaban, Griffiths; unused: Kamara, Taylor.

Basingstoke: Kitteridge, Price ©, Finlay (Warner 64), Franks, Mitchell, Laidler, Ogunbote (Jones 67), Williamson, Pratt, Bryant (Downes 72), Hankin; Stephens, Akwuegbu.

Festive fixtures: Wednesday 9th December - away v Millwall (FA Cup sponsored by E.On, Second Round Proper Replay) 7:45pm Saturday 12th December - home v Weston-super-Mare (Blue Square Conference South) 3pm Saturday 19th December - away v Newport County (Blue Square Conference South) 3pm Saturday 26th December - away v Hampton & Richmond Borough (Blue Square Conference South) 3pm Monday 28th December - home v Bishop's Stortford (Blue Square Conference South) 3pm