BASINGSTOKE Town will play no further part in this season’s FA Trophy after going down by a single goal in their first round replay at Havant and Waterlooville last night.

Sahr Kabba’s fine individual goal on 11 minutes proved to be the winner but Town will have travelled back to north Hampshire wondering exactly how they lost after dominating the game.

Manager Jason Bristow made just one change to the team that had started the 0-0 draw between the sides at the Camrose two days earlier, Robbie Matthews replacing Kezie Ibe in attack, but it was the hosts who started the better.

Scott Jones headed straight at Louis Wells in the Basingstoke goal and Christian Nanetti fired over before Kabba scored what proved to be the winner.

Picking the ball up 25 yards from goal, the striker was allowed to turn before running through several challenges and slipping the ball under Wells. It was an excellent individual effort, but Town will feel that they should have got a challenge in at some point.

Going behind seemed to spark Town into life and they dominated the remainder of the game.

Adam Green tested Havant ’keeper Scott Bevan from a free-kick, though Havant could have doubled their lead when Nigel Atangana dispossessed Neil Barrett on the edge of the area, but his low shot flashed past the far post.

Other than that, it was the visitors on the front foot, but they were unable to create a clear chance. Shaun McAuley went closest, stretching to get on the end of Barrett’s low ball in, but could only poke the ball straight at Bevan.

The pattern continued after the break, but Town were inches away from taking the lead just before the hour mark.

A training ground free-kick routine saw Green knock the ball sideways for Wes Daly to strike. The midfielder caught the ball cleanly and his effort from 25 yards was destined for the top corner before Beven got fingertips to it, pushing it against the crossbar.

Another big chance followed minutes later. David Ray headed Manny Williams’ cross back across goal and the ball fell for Barrett, but his effort was too close to Bevan, who showed great reactions to push the ball over the bar.

Further chances followed, with Williams having a shot saved and Bevan pushing Shaun McAuley’s low cross to safety, but as Town pushed on, Havant began to threaten on the break.

Dennis Oli had three clear chances but failed to take any of them, lacking conviction in front of goal. The first was a weak shot that Wells gathered easily, while an attempted lob did not have the required height and Wells did excellently to block a third opportunity with his legs.

At the other end, Town were laying siege to the Havant goal but they were unable to find the breakthrough and the hosts held on to book a trip to Whitehawk in the second round of the competition.

Click here to see a post-match interview with Basingstoke Town manager Jason Bristow.

Havant and Waterlooville: Bevan, Newton, Ciardini, Ryan, Harris, Monteiro, Nanetti (sub Woodford 69min), Atangana, Oli, Kabba (sub Ramsey 69min), Jones (sub Kewley-Graham 49min). Subs (not used): Strugnell, Hutchinson.

Basingstoke Town: Wells, Smart, Green, Barrett, Gasson, Ray, Daly, McAuley, Matthews (sub Holder-Spooner 74min), Williams, Dunn (sub Jenkinson 74min). Subs (not used): Ibe, Rice, McDonnell.

Attendance: 201