What a difference four days make in football. On the previous Tuesday the Dragons had followed on from their superb victory at Chelmsford to register another win on the road at Bishops Stortford with some delightful football in the second half. The first half had been an even affair with Stoke creating well going forward with David Pratt and Mitchell Bryant looking lively on the break. At the other end Sheringham and Essandoh both had chances to put the home side ahead, however in the second half the visitors stamped their authority on the game scoring twice without reply and playing some delightful football in the process. Just five minutes after the re-start the ever dangerous Pratt fired ‘Stoke into the lead from close range. Stortford were in further trouble when a Tom Williamson free kick from the edge of the box found its way into the back of the net. Town dominated their opponents and grew in confidence as Bryant and Pratt could have added to the home sides woes had it not have been for their keeper.

Back to the Camrose on the back of two away wins, one against a play off contending side. Out of form Hampton & Richmond and fighting to get away from the relegation zone provided the potential banana skin game and it would prove to be as Town slipped up at home again, looking tentative unlike the attacking and dominating side away from home. However the talking point will be about some indifferent refereeing decisions and what looked to be a howler by the assistant referee in the final minute of the game. With the game seeming to be ending in stalemate at 1-1 the game ended in dramatic fashion with Ashley Mitchell being sent off for a foul on Lawrence Yaku. As the ball came out from the free kick Town pushed out and as Yaku headed back in he and a team mate appeared to be yards offside. Referee Brett Huxtable looked to his assistant but there was no flag and the goal stood leaving the fans and management angered by the decision.

The game had started well for the Dragons as David Pratt burst forward from the edge of the centre circle and was bundled over in the box on ten minutes. Gary Frewen made no mistake from the penalty spot. Hampton responded well but Town looked to have doubled their lead when Mitchell Bryant’s low cross was met by Pratt whose near post finish was ruled offside though the decision looked to be tight.

Town failed to capitalise on their lead and in the second half Hampton pushed forward and took control of the game. The inevitable happened in the 70th minute when Yaku’s overhead kick found the back of the net. Jide Ogunbote had the best chance for Town in the second half slicing his shot from the edge of the box. The last minute drama occurred when Yaku broke through in the final minute and was brought down by Mitchell before he broke into the box, Mitchell seeing red for the challenge. Matt Warner cleared the free kick off the line but the danger did not go away and Lake crossed to an off-side looking Yaku who converted past Richard Barnard.

Town now face trips to basement sides Weymouth and Weston-super-Mare with a re-arranged home game against Staines on 16th February at the Camrose in between.

Basingstoke Town: Richard Barnard, Miles Mitchell-Coop, Matt Warner, Steve Laidler, Ashley Mitchell, Sean Hankin, Jahson Downes, Tom Williamson (Jide Ogunbote), David Pratt, Mitchell Bryant (Ryan Stephens), Gary Frewen (Matt Finlay). Subs not used: Lewis Christon, Ross Kitteridge.

Man of the Match: David Pratt. Attendance 403