Brad Gascoigne’s ricocheted effort five minutes after half-time provided the opener, but Harry Wakefield – once of Basford – swept home an equaliser after 70 minutes to share the spoils with the opening game of the league season well on the horizon.

It was defender Gascoigne who had the first chance of the game when his scuffed shot goalwards, from a Matt Thornhill corner, was hacked clear by home ‘keeper Callum Smith.

Alex Howes’ patient play down the right then allowed for a Rev James opportunity, though his tame effort was deflected behind by William Edjenguele as United began well.

‘Boro rarely threatened but went close on the quarter hour mark when Cain Noble – dangerous all afternoon – was left unmarked but could only flick Tom Armitage’s cross narrowly wide.

And the midfielder thought he had gone one better a minute later when he had the ball in the net, only to be ruled out by Dean Hellyar’s far side flag.

An even affair, both teams failed to create much that would trouble respective ‘keepers, but academy prospect Nathaniel Peters looked composed on his first senior start.

With 25 minutes played, he did well to skip away from Noble and release Howes, but the former Notts County man couldn’t quite yield any power and his shot ran harmlessly through to Smith.

Now on top, Basford continued to probe, and James may have tapped home Thornhill’s wicked cross on the half hour had Smith not awkwardly claimed at the second attempt, before another Noble header – unmarked – failed to trouble Adam Collin.

Shortly before the break, James was hauled down and from Thornhill’s free-kick, Peters’ downward header was miscued and bounced to safety.

Goalless at the break, United maintained the tempo and Marcus Marshall’s strike stung the hands of Smith after excellent work down the right by Peters, just before his improvised header looped agonisingly over the crossbar.

But he didn’t have to wait long for the opener; another Thornhill corner wasn’t cleared, and the ball seemingly bounced of a surprised Gascoigne to give United the lead as the sheepish celebration began.

Continuing to cause problems, Ryan Wilson and Howes again combined down the left but a shot was blocked by another former Notts man in Damien McCrory and had Thornhill’s return pass to Marshall been better placed, the former Blackburn striker may have added to United’s lead moments later.

A flurry of substitutions followed, with academy scholar Jordan Haywood rewarded for his impressive performances of late, as well as a debut for recent arrival Aaron O’Connor.

However, it was Nuneaton who had the better of the game’s next chance, and it led to their equaliser.

Down the right, Ravin Shamsi teased with some quick movement, and his deft pass inside was swept home by substitute Wakefield past Jordan Pierrepont, who earlier himself replaced Collin.

O’Connor then did well to charge down Smith’s clearance down as United looked to regain the lead, and the newest recruit thought he sealed his move this week with a first goal for Chettle’s men but another flag from Hellyar spoiled the celebrations.

Late on, Joel Kettle’s foul on Stef Galinski before he looked destined to score brought some relief for United before referee Richie Watkins brought the curtain down on a successful pre-season campaign.

Attention now turns to the Northern Premier League opener next weekend.

Next up: Scarborough Athletic (Saturday, August 14)

NUNEATON BOROUGH: Callum Smith, Callum Westwood, Tom Armitage, Damien McCrory, Joel Kettle, William Edjenguele, Cain Noble (Jordan Gough 68’), Ryan Edmunds, Amer Awadh (Harry Wakefield 65’), Ravin Shamsi, Louis Baker (Trialist 78’)
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: Tony Breeden, Trialist

UNITED: Adam Collin (Jordan Pierrepont 69’), Dom Roma, Stef Galinski, Brad Gascoigne, Ryan Wilson (Jordan Haywood 61’), Declan Dunn, Nathaniel Peters, Matt Thornhill (C) (Tyler Dacres 78’), Alex Howes, Marcus Marshall (Niall Towle 69’), Rev James (Aaron O’Connor 61’)
UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: Ferdinand Bartley, Rory Harrison, Kiarn Nyemba

MATCH ATTENDANCE: 154