BASINGSTOKE Town manager Jason Bristow is still smarting from the pain of losing in the semi-finals of the Vanarama Conference South play-offs – but he is keen to commit his future to the club.

Town secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg at Whitehawk last Wednesday night, but their promotion hopes were dashed at The Soccer AM Stadium on Saturday. Jake Robinson scored the only goal of the game to earn the Sussex side a 2-1 win on aggregate, booking them a place in the play-off final against Boreham Wood this weekend.

Despite the defeat, it has been an excellent season for Town, who exceeded expectations to become genuine title contenders.

This success will not have gone unnoticed and Bristow may well find himself in the frame for other jobs – but he wants to remain at his home-town club.

“I want to finish the job and have no interest in going anywhere else,” he said.

“The club is very close to my heart and I’ve got a good relationship with the supporters.

“I want Basingstoke Town to be seen as a club that is expected to be in title contention and one of the big guys in the division.

“I won’t just accept that it’s one good season. It’s something to build on.”