BASINGSTOKE Town remain two points clear at the top of the Vanarama Conference South after carrying out a smash-and-grab raid in west London.

The visitors were second-best for large parts of Saturday’s game, but struggling Wealdstone were unable to make their opportunities count and David Ray’s injury-time header earned Town a sixth successive victory.

Basingstoke didn’t really have any right to win the game. Their passing was sloppy and they created very little going forward. They also had some shaky moments at the back, requiring a couple more good saves from goalkeeper Stuart Moore and some wayward finishing from the hosts to maintain their clean sheet.

The good news, of course, was that they found a way to win, stealing all three points in stoppage time at the end of the game.

A decent turn and run from substitute Lloyd Macklin won his side a dangerous free-kick and while Tom Bird’s effort from the dead ball was headed behind, the visitors struck from the resulting corner.

Louie Soares whipped in an excellent delivery from the left and centre-back Ray lost his man and powered home a header from six yards, sparking wild scenes of celebration among the players and Town fans behind the goal.

The result means that Basingstoke will remain top of the league for at least two more weeks, but the leaders certainly put their fans through the wringer.

There was some good news before the match, with Simon Dunn being deemed fit to start. He replaced Andrew Jenkinson in the only change to the side that had won at Ebbsfleet United in the FA Cup a week earlier.

Town’s problems began in the first minute, with Joe Turner being allowed to run from deep inside his own half to the edge of the Basingstoke area, but his low shot lacked power and it was a comfortable save for Moore.

That seemed to set the tone as the hosts continued to press early on, but Ryan Watts shot straight at Moore and Shaun McAuley just about hacked a corner away.

The visitors did improve, keeping the ball better and getting into some good positions, but Liam Enver-Marum’s claims for a penalty were waved away, while Dunn’s low shot didn’t have the pace to beat Jonathan North in the Wealdstone goal.

It took a good defensive header to stop Bird’s cross reaching Enver-Marum as Town continued to press, with Chris Flood seeing his shot charged down when the resulting corner was only half-cleared.

Dunn then got into another shooting position but was unable to properly test North, but it was Wealdstone who got themselves back on top as the half came to a close. Ray made an important block to deny Tom Hickey, while Scott McGleish fired narrowly over after Jay Gasson misjudged the flight of a long clearance and then dragged another opportunity wide.

The hosts continued to press after the break, with McGleish denied by the feet of Moore, but Town had a clear chance to go ahead on 50 minutes.

A poor back-pass from Sean Cronin was pounced upon by Enver-Marum. He had plenty of time to decide what to do, but his shot was too close to North, who saved with his legs.

Flood also had a near-post header blocked and Enver-Marum dragged the ball well wide from the edge of the area, but on the whole, it was Wealdstone who looked far more likely to score.

Moore had to make a smart save to keep out Turner’s header and made an even better save with 20 minutes to go. Dan Brown’s shot took a deflection, bouncing dangerously into the Town area. Moore and McGleish both went for the loose ball, with Moore getting just enough on it to prevent the veteran striker scoring.

Town’s best move of the match saw Soares and Dunn link up to set up Flood, but he chose to take a touch and was crowded out, with the action soon returning to the other end.

Turner had a great chance when a cross from the right was flicked on at the near post, but he blasted well over, while the dangerous Shaun Lucien fizzed a low centre across the face of goal and Ray and Smart both made important tackles.

The game seemed to be heading towards a goalless draw, but Town didn’t give up and got their reward with practically the final kick of the game.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 8 (out of 10)

Not tested as much as he should have been but did everything asked of him, including making a brave block to deny Scott McGleish.

Nathan Smart – 8

Solid as ever and made some important challenges.

Tom Bird – 7

One of Town’s best players in the first half. Unable to have the same impact after the break and had his hands full with Shaun Lucien.

Louie Soares – 7

Had a quiet game and gave the ball away a few times, but his delivery for the goal was outstanding.

Jay Gasson – 7

A couple of shaky moments, but made some key clearances.

David Ray – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

A solid defensive display capped with a dramatic late winner.

Jamie Brown – 6

Did well defensively in front of the back four, but gave the ball away too often.

Shaun McAuley – 6

Never really in the game.

Liam Enver-Marum – 6

Starved of service for long spells but failed to make the most of his one big chance.

Chris Flood – 6

Not really given the chance to shine.

Simon Dunn – 7

Caused problems in the hole behind the strikers during the first half but unable to affect the game as Town struggled after the break

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for McAuley 66min) – 7

Didn’t see much of the ball but a good turn and run got Town in the position to score their late winner.

Subs (not used): Rice, Jenkinson, Argent, Green

Wealdstone: North, Hammond, Watts, Hamblin, Cronin, Godfrey, Lucien (sub Pigden 86min), Hickey, McGleish (sub Malcolm 74min), Brown (sub Wright 71min), Turner. Subs (not used): Mills, Martin.

Attendance: 813