BASINGSTOKE Town produced the best game of their season so far, as they beat league leaders Kettering 3-2 in a thriller at the Camrose.

The visitors looked set to nick all three points, as they came back from 2-0 down to square the game in the final 10 minutes.

They threw everything but the kitchen sink at the home side with a string of corners, only for the Dragons to grab the winner three minutes into added on time from Callum Bunting.

It was no surprise that Town manager Terry Brown was delighted with the win, but it was also tinged with sadness as well.

Brown said: “This was definitely the best game of the season at home and we had the bare 11. The boys showed great character and we deserved the win. It was like Dunkirk at the end, after Kettering came back to make it 2-2, but we have then nicked it with a late goal, which was great to see.

“The only disappointment for me is that the budget is so tight here, we cannot afford to keep these players, even if we barely pay them anything.

“We are losing money at the moment and I will have to let some players go, which is a great shame, as we have some of the best young players ever to have played for this club.

“It is gutting for me as we have proved today we can match the best in this league.”

Basingstoke started Saturday’s game as underdogs with the team picking itself as there only 11 fit players available.

The visiting Poppies started the better and when Rhys Hoeness fired wide after just three minutes, it looked like it was going to be a long afternoon.

However, after this it was Basingstoke who dominated the remainder of the first 45 minutes, as the Poppies found their pockets picked time and time again in defence.

A great cross from Tim Wohlfiel saw Sam Argent’s header pushed over the bar by Paul White.

Then on the 20 minute mark a Colm McAdden free-kick down the left found Argent, as his ball into the area was volleyed over by Bunting.

Two minutes later, White was called into action again in the Kettering net to save from Dan Bayliss.

Soon after, a rare Kettering attack saw Wohlfiel nearly deflect the ball into his own net.

The Dragons make the most of the let off as the lively Sam Smart, who tormented the Kettering back line all game, won a free-kick wide on the right after an excellent run.

Ben Wright delivered the ball to the far post, where Smart stabbed it home for the deserved lead after 29 minutes.

The home side continued to dominate to the break, winning a number of corners, but they were unable to add to their tally.

After the break, referee Bhupinder Gill harshly booked Michael Atkinson and then minutes later Ben Toseland nearly sent Smart through the surrounding wall with a massive push and not even a free-kick was given, which did not go down well with the home fans.

By this time Kettering had more of the play, which did not hurt Basingstoke, who doubled their advantage on 65 minutes.

Argent put the ball into the path of Bunting, who was able to round the Kettering goalkeeper and slot in from an acute angle.

On 74 minutes, it was the visitors, who got a slice of good fortune, when a Smart cross was nearly sliced by a Kettering defender into his own net.

Seven minutes later, the Poppies started their comeback, as Aaron O’Connor’s shot took a deflection on its way into the net.

Worst was to follow as in the space of four minutes, Kettering were level, as sub Matt Stevens scored at the back post.

Suddenly, the leaders could sense a victory and went for the kill, but Basingstoke defended to a man, with centre backs Bayliss and Guri Demuria standing tall.

As the game moved into the third minute of added on time, Smart went on one last run and was taken out by Tom Marshall.

It earned the home side a free-kick, just by the right corner of the penalty area.

Once again, Wright sent the ball to the back post and Bunting was there to head home the winner. It signalled wild celebrations from the fans behind the net.

Kettering had barely kicked off, when the final whistle was blown and their reign as leaders was over.

Town are back in action on Tuesday night, when they entertain Marlow in the Southern League Cup, as they look for a place in the last eight of the competition.