BASINGSTOKE Town got themselves back into the Vanarama Conference South title race with a hard-earned and vital win away at promotion rivals Whitehawk.

Liam Enver-Marum stooped to head home the only goal of the game after 17 minutes, but it was the Town defence who stole the show, putting their bodies on the line time and time again as the hosts pushed for an equaliser.

Whitehawk were unable to find a way through, though Scott Neilson was unlucky to see his effort come back off the crossbar in added time at the end of the game, and Basingstoke held on to claim three very important points.

Not only do they remain third in the table, but the cushion between them and Whitehawk, who slip to sixth, just outside the play-off places, is now six points.

However, an already excellent afternoon for Town got even better when news filtered through that leaders Bromley had been beaten by bottom side Staines Town, reducing the gap between the sides to just three points with six games to play.

Basingstoke manager Jason Bristow made one change to the side that had beaten Weston super Mare four days earlier, Chris Flood replacing Lloyd Macklin in attack. Sergio Torres lined up against his former club in the heart of the Whitehawk midfield.

Town almost took the lead after just two minutes, Louie Soares’ corner almost going straight in, with Tom Cadmore getting back to head practically off of the line and Rob Dickie’s follow-up effort blocked.

Tom Bird was the next to threaten as the visitors made a good start, his effort from distance swerving viciously and forcing Craig Ross into a decent save.

The game then settled down into something of a cagey affair, with neither side able to get on top, but Town managed to grab the lead with 17 minutes on the clock.

A dangerous low ball into the area forced the hosts to concede a corner and again Soares’ corner caused problems. David Ray got a touch at the near post and the ball dropped kindly for Enver-Marum, who nodded home from close range.

The goal seemed to wake Whitehawk up and they nearly found the perfect response. Jake Robinson beat Dickie on the right wing before pulling the ball back to John-Paul Kissock, but Stuart Moore made an outstanding save to keep out his well-struck shot.

Shaun McAuley and Enver-Marum both forced saves out of Ross as the half went on, while Robinson had two chances for the hosts, failing to really test Moore from the edge of the area and heading a good chance wide from Lee Hills’ free-kick.

Town had a clear chance to double the lead with four minutes of the half remaining. Soares did well to touch a ball out from the defence back to Chris Flood, whose pass over the top picked out McAuley.

The midfielder was in behind the home defence and had time to steady himself, but he blasted his shot wastefully wide of the near post.

Whitehawk ended the half with a couple of efforts, but Torres shot straight at Moore, while Neilson fired a decent opening well over the crossbar.

The hosts made a really quick start to the second half, creating two chances in the opening minutes, but Torres fired over, while Robinson was unable to beat Moore with a low shot.

Having weathered the storm, Town created another good chance, with Flood’s run down the right ending in a pull-back for Soares. However, like McAuley before the break, he fired wide of the near post.

Whitehawk enjoyed the lion’s share of possession throughout the second half, but Town defended stoutly to keep them out.

They were helped when Robinson inadvertently blocked Neilson’s effort, while Neilson was unfortunate to see his low centre flash across the face of goal.

At the other end, Soares did well to intercept a pass and pick out Enver-Marum, but he fired wastefully over from the edge of the area when he had men in support.

However, on the whole, Town were on the back foot for much of the second half.

On the whole though, Whitehawk were unable to turn their possession and territory into clear chances. Moore saved Robinson’s deflected shot, while Robinson and Nick Arnold failed to make the most of dangerous free-kicks.

The Town back four also made a succession of brave blocks and were forced to hack clear during scrambles in front of their own goal.

However, Whitehawk were inches away from levelling in the first minute of added time. Neilson failed to catch a volley correctly, smashing the ball straight into the ground, but it bounced over Moore and almost looped in, rebounding off the crossbar.

The hosts had one final chance from another dangerous free-kick, but Ray was on hand to block Robinson’s low effort inside his own six-yard box to earn his side all three points.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 8 (out of 10)

Made an exceptional save in the first half and did well under the high ball.

Robbie Rice – 9

A dogged defensive display. Threw himself in the way of everything as Whitehawk pressed in the closing stages.

Tom Bird – 8

Another defender who had a good game. Unable to threaten much going forward but made a couple of really brave headers.

James Harper – 8

Did a good job of closing down Torres and protecting the back four.

Rob Dickie – 8

A couple of nervy clearances aside, another fine game. Won everything in the air.

David Ray – 9 (Gazette Star Man)

The centre-back’s stellar season continues. Made countless blocks and last-ditch clearances to keep the hosts at bay, while he made a nuisance of himself at the near post for the Town goal.

Louie Soares – 9

Involved in most of Town’s good moments going forward. Put in some dangerous corners, including the one that led to the goal, and played some incisive first-time passes.

Shaun McAuley – 7

Great energy throughout and always available to receive the ball, but he should have at least tested the goalkeeper with his big chance in the first half.

Liam Enver-Marum – 8

Worked hard, created space for others, held the ball up well and in the right place at the right time to score the vital goal.

Chris Flood – 8

Never stopped running and created the chances spurned by McAuley and Soares.

Manny Williams – 7

Not much chance to shine in the hole between Town’s midfield and attack, but he helped to keep the pressure on the hosts.

SUBSTITUTES

Simon Dunn (for Williams 61min) – 7

His energy and work-rate were important as Town saw the game out in the closing stages.

Lloyd Macklin (for Soares 72min) – 7

Asked to play on the left wing and got through a lot of important defensive work.

Jay Gasson (for McAuley 86min) – 6

A late appearance as Town looked to tighten things up at the back.

Subs (not used): Smart, Jenkinson

Whitehawk: Ross, Arnold, Hills, Ijaha, Sankofa (sub Gargan 85min), Cadmore, Kissock, Torres, Robinson, Mills, Neilson

Subs (not used): Kujabi, Rose, Abdulla, Deering

Attendance: 252

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