BASINGSTOKE Town’s Vanarama Conference South title hopes suffered a blow as Bromley came from behind to win at The Soccer AM Stadium on Saturday.

Second-placed Bromley travelled to Basingstoke boosted by the signing of four new players, and two of them had a direct bearing on the result of their first game for their new club.

Anthony Cook, who joined from big-spending Ebbsfleet, scored both of his new side’s goals, while experienced goalkeeper Alan Julian made a couple of vital saves to prevent Town claiming a point late on.

Bromley shaded the game in terms of possession and chances created, particularly in the first half, but Town went toe to toe with their visitors after the break and could easily have got something out of the game. At times, their decision making in the final third was not brilliant, but they had the ball in the net twice, only to be denied by tight offside calls.

Basingstoke manager Jason Bristow made one change for the game, with Liam Enver-Marum replacing Manny Williams in attack.

He had his first effort at goal in the opening minute, but there was not enough power on his header to trouble Julian, and it was Bromley who managed to get on top.

Cook was the game’s outstanding player throughout and his cross from the right caused problems as Town goalkeeper Stuart Moore collided with a defender. The ball dropped for Bradley Goldberg, but his attempt to hook the ball into the empty net hit Ben May and the hosts survived.

Further chances followed for the visitors, with Rob Swaine’s header across goal just about cleared and Goldberg failing to make proper contact with an acrobatic volley after May had been left unmarked to head the ball down for him.

Town were able to find a response, putting together some good moves. A simple ball over the top almost paid dividends though, Robbie Rice’s long pass finding McAuley in behind the defence, but Julian was off his line quickly to save with his legs.

However, the visiting ’keeper was unable to deny the same player on 19 minutes. Chris Flood did really well, dropping deep to pick up the ball and holding off a defender before finding McAuley on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s first touch was excellent, taking the covering defender out of the game, while his shot had too much power for Julian, who got his hand to the ball but was unable to keep it out.

Having got ahead, Town looked set to get onto the front foot, but the lead only lasted four minutes. David Ray gave away a needless free-kick, pushing May in the back 25 yards from goal and Cook expertly curled the ball around the wall and just inside the post.

Goldberg could have had Bromley ahead soon after, but he was unable to make the most of a poor touch from Ray, his first-time shot going out for a throw.

The game calmed down as half-time approached, with neither side really able to get on top. Flood had the best chance of this period, but he was unable to get enough power on his header to really test Julian.

Town had the first half-chance of the second half, but Ray’s header across goal from a corner was cut out before it could reach Flood.

Bromley went straight up the other end and forced Moore into a good save, the goalkeeping pushing May’s header over the crossbar.

However, it was a Moore error that resulted in Cook scoring what proved to be the decisive goal. Smart failed to get close enough to Cook and he let fly from 30 yards. Moore seemed to have the shot covered, but a combination of swerve and an awkward bounce caused the goalkeeper to misjudge it, failing to lay a glove on the ball as it flew past him and into the net.

Town looked to respond, with a defender getting just enough on a cross to take it away from Enver-Marum, while Flood had the ball in the net from a ball over the top, but the offside flag denied him an equaliser.

Cook could have had a hat-trick, but he dragged the ball wide after it broke to him in the area, while McAuley almost netted his second goal of the game, Julian getting down to make a good save to keep out his deflected effort.

Bromley almost made the game safe with 14 minutes to go. Town’s marking from a corner left a lot to be desired and May was able to get in a volley at goal, forcing Soares to clear off the line. The same thing happened from the resulting corner, but May headed over when he really should have scored.

With time running out, Town substitute Lloyd Macklin got away down the right wing and his low centre caused massive problems. Paul Rodgers tried to cut it out, but he only succeeded in sending the ball towards his own goal and Julian made a fantastic stop to keep the ball out.

McAuley, Macklin and Manny Williams all failed to hit the target in the closing stages, but there was to be one final dramatic act in the seventh and final minute of stoppage time.

Julian did well to parry Tom Bird’s driven free-kick over the crossbar and Town had the ball in the net from the resulting corner. It was taken short and Bird put in an excellent cross, which Rob Dickie managed to flick on for Enver-Marum to head home at the far post.

For a second, it appeared that Town had scored a dramatic last-gasp equaliser for the second week running, but again the offside flag came to Bromley’s rescue.

The defeat saw Basingstoke slip a place to fifth in the table, nine points behind leaders Boreham Wood, who they are due to visit on Saturday.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 5 (out of 10)

Made one good save but flapped at a couple of early crosses and will feel that he should have kept the winning goal out.

Nathan Smart – 6

Showed good energy down the right flank but failed to get close enough to Cook for the second goal.

Tom Bird – 7

Another good display saw him create chances with good deliveries from the left wing.

Robbie Rice – 7

Another solid performance from the consistent defender.

Rob Dickie – 6

Struggled to keep May under wraps from set pieces.

David Ray – 6

Found it hard to deal with big striker May. Gave away a needless free-kick that led to the first goal.

James Harper – 8

Continues to improve. Broke up play and got Town moving forward from his position in front of the defence.

Shaun McAuley – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

Busy and lively. Took his goal really well and took up some good positions.

Liam Enver-Marum – 7

Held the ball up well and occupied the Bromley defence.

Chris Flood – 7

Did really well to create the chance for McAuley to score and a little unlucky to see his second-half strike cancelled out.

Louie Soares – 6

A quiet game. Unable to have much of an impact.

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 63min) – 7

Unable to get into the game as much as he would have liked but his run and cross nearly resulted in an own goal.

Manny Williams (for Rice 74min) – 6

Didn’t really get the chance to have an impact on the game.

Subs (not used): Jenkinson, Cox, Case

Bromley: Julian, Udoji, Anderson, Fuseini (sub Walden 83min), Swaine (sub Rodgers 81min), Holland, Ademola, Prestledge, May, Goldberg (sub Slabber 89min), Cook

Subs (not used): McNaughton, Birchall

Attendance: 638