While they proved no April fools on the pitch, Aldershot's inconsistent away form continued with a dour draw against old rivals Basingstoke on Easter Monday.

Both teams were hampered by the desert-like Camrose pitch which prevented any sustained quality play.

The opening passage of play decided events, with the two goals being scored within 20 minutes.

Aldershot started purposefully with some promising attacks and new winger Chris Allen, once of Nottingham Forest, opened the account after 10 minutes.

Allen calmly slotted home his maiden goal for Aldershot after Grant Payne's shot had rebounded off the upright.

Basingstoke's response was not long in coming, with busy striker Jason Eaton restoring the balance six minutes later.

Neither team were able to assert themselves for the remainder of the half. Unfortunately, the second period proved equally barren for the 1,136 spectators.

Filling the Lee Protheroe role on the right side of midfield, veteran Dave Carroll, the other newcomer, instigated some neat passing movements.

However, movement off the ball was lacking on both sides, resulting in few creative options being explored.

Basingstoke number 5 Paul Wilkinson came closest to breaking the deadlock after 72 minutes. His scorching free-kick from 30 yards flew narrowly over the bar.

Soon afterwards, at the other end, Adam Parker latched on to a Lee Holsgrove through-ball and his well-struck shot was cleared off the line by Mark Lisk.

Scott Forrester, starting the game, endured an ineffective afternoon and substitute Mark Watson proved no more successful as the game fizzled out.

Making a late entrance, John Nutter tried to lift a clearly tiring Aldershot side who looked happy to settle for the draw.

Manager Terry Brown branded the performance "disappointing" and said he expected more from his men.

"I didn't think we were up for it today, although we started positively. It was a difficult surface and I was disappointed with the goal that got Basingstoke back into the game.

"We didn't have enough movement off the ball. I was not impressed with our ability to hold it.

"I don't expect to lose a game this year, but they played like it was an end-of-season match, which it was not. A lot of work needs to be done in training. We have not had much time with so many games being played recently."

But Brown was optimistic that his two new signings will prove "fantastic additions" for Aldershot in the campaign next season.

Aldershot: Howells, Gell, Chewins, Kirby, Coll, Parker, Carroll, Holsgrove, Payne (Nutter 82 mins), Forrester (Watson 74 mins, Allen. Sub (not used) Townley

Basingstoke: Tarr, Honor, Forbes, Bristow, Wilkinson, Lisk, Hayfield (Howells 70 mins), Cook, McCallister, Eaton, Davis (Baker (80 mins). Sub (not used) Gorman.

Referee: Pat Miller.

Attendance: 1,136.