A sublime effort from range from Jack Lenehan opened the scoring in the first period before a second half brace from Marcus Cusani sealed the victory for the hosts.

Steve Chettle named two changes to the side which lost to Matlock Town, with Rev James replacing Nathaniel Peters and Niall Towle coming in as a late replacement for Aaron O’Connor, who was ruled out during the warm up.

Staring in the face of an injury crisis, Chettle named an exciting but inexperienced bench containing three academy products in Wayde Hines, Jordan Haywood and Nathaniel Peters.

After a lively start from both sides, the deadlock was broken 10 minutes in as a loose ball in the Basford half gave possession to Lenehan inside the Basford half. The young midfielder touched the ball ahead of him before rifling a bullet of a shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards out, leaving Adam Collin with no chance.

In what was a frustrating half, Basford’s best opportunity fell to Niall Towle, whose optimism was rewarded as he chased down Rev James’ through ball which appeared to be running back to the goalkeeper.

Towle stole in ahead of the stopper before firing low, but saw his effort rebuffed by a fantastic save down low.

Within minutes of the restart Atherton’s goalkeeper, Jack Hutchinson, was called into action again. This time Alex Howes nipped in between two defenders to retrieve a touch, leaving him through on goal on the penalty spot.

His low effort, like Towle’s, was swatted away following a brilliant reaction save down to the ‘keeper’s right.

With Basford still down a goal, Hutchinson made it a hat-trick of remarkable saves, this time to deny James Clifton. The midfielder player a tight give-and-go on the left of the box before curling an effort destined for the far top corner.

However, he was denied a memorable equaliser by the outstretched arm of the stopper who expertly batted it behind for a corner.

With just 15 minutes remaining, an under-hit back pass allowed Atherton’s towering striker Marcus Cusani in on goal with Adam Collin rushing out to meet him.

Following a strong challenge, the ball flew up into the air with Collin 30 yards out of his goal. The ball broke nicely to Cusani who brought it down a passed the ball into an empty net to double the Host’s advantage.

Just three minutes later, Cusani had a second. Collin’s short goal kick to Clifton was way wide of the midfielder, handing the ball straight to the now confident Cusani.

With both centre backs split, Cusani had a free run through on goal as he was faced one-on-one with Collin. He then bent his effort expertly around the stranded ‘keeper and into the top right corner to seal the points for his side.

The result leaves Basford 19th in the league with just a point from their opening three games as midweek’s clash at home to Stafford is now all the more important.

Despite this, credit should be given to Chettle’s men, who could have easily gotten something from the game were it not for Hutchinson’s heroics.

Attendance: 201