After a goalless first half, in which Kieran Preston made several good saves to keep out the hosts, Greg Smith headed in the only goal of the game five minutes after the restart.

United pushed for an equaliser but failed to make the most of several clear chances as the hosts held on for all three points.

Steve Chettle made no changes to the starting XI that ran out 4-1 winners against Lancaster City in United’s last game. The only change was on the bench as James Reid came in to replace Ryan Wilson.

United almost had the perfect start to the afternoon when Nat Watson was sent through on goal but the forward could not keep his effort down and instead sent it over Nicholson’s cross bar. Up the other end Smith was unable to keep his volley down after showing some good control on the edge of the box.

Kane Richards saw a tame effort saved on 14 minutes before Jack McGovern almost turned a low cross into his own net. The hosts thought they were going to have a clear sight of goal when Smith found himself one on one with Preston but the flag was up before he could get a shot away.

When the hosts did test Preston he was at his best to keep out Craig Westcarr’s goal bound header just after the half hour mark. Courey Grantham then had a great chance but his effort dipped over the bar after a good knockdown by Watson.

Preston was at his best again at the end of the half, scrambling across his line to ensure the scores were level at the break.

It took just five second half minutes for the deadlock to be broken. Smith rose highest to head home a free kick after Callum Chettle had fouled James Berrett.

United pushed for an equaliser with Matt Thornhill’s cross into the box escaping the head of Courey Grantham before a pass into the box was too far in front of Jamie Walker.

They were then inches away on two separate occasions. Callum Chettle’s cross was missed by the head of Watson for what would have been a tap in and then moments later the hosts scrambled Thornhill’s effort off the line.

With little over 20 minutes left on the clock Basford should have been level. Lewis Carr’s long throw into the box dropped to Thornhill and he somehow blazed over. Basford’s pressure continued and they forced Nicholson into a good stop as he denied Watson following Courey Grantham’s cut back.

Up the other end it could have been 2-0 when the ball was squared to substitute Ryan Baldwin. Luckily for United they were able to scramble it clear.

Even with the five minutes added time United were unable to make their pressure count as Grantham held onto their one goal advantage until the final whistle.

Starting XI:1-Preston, 2- Roma, 3- Walker, 4-Thornhill, 5- Gascoigne, 6- Galinski, 7- Richards (Carr), 8- Chettle (Reid), 9- Grantham, 10- Watson, 11- Thomas

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