BASINGSTOKE Town suffered the heartache of losing in the final minute against visiting National League South league leaders Ebbsfleet.

This was after the home side had the better of the first 45 minutes and led 1-0, before the leaders showed why they head the division.

Straight after the game Town manager Michael Gilkes said: “Overall it was a game of two halves and we did not do enough to win. They had some fantastic subs who came on and made them stronger, in the end they over powered us.” The Dragons made two changes to the side which lost the previous week at Havant.

Louie Soares replaced James Harper in midfield and up front Reece Connolly made his first start in place of Rowan Vine. Both the dropped players had picked up minor knocks the week before.

Soares did well enough in midfield, while Connolly had a tough day up front against Anthony Acheampong, who at times was able to get away with wrestling him to the ground as Town surely should have earned more free-kicks.

Recent signing goalkeeper Dan Lincoln made his home debut and was called into action to make the first save of the game in the first minute to deny Jordan Parkes.

Ebbsfleet had an excellent opening five minute spell, as they knocked the ball around with real freedom and it looked like the Town faithful would be in for a long afternoon.

However, the home side soon found their feet and were very much the better team for the rest of the half.

Manny Williams won the first Town corner after 14 minutes and then a free-kick from Glen Southam was headed over by the outstanding centre half Jack Deaman.

Ryan Case then tried his luck with a shot from just outside the area, which just went wide and Tom Bird also went for a shot from distance which was off target.

Connolly so nearly opened the scoring for Town, as his header from Bird's corner was cleared off the line.

Town then took the lead after 40 minutes and again Ebbsfleet failed to deal with a corner.

Bird swung the ball in from the left, where it was met by the head of Deaman who planted it into the back of the net.

Three minutes later, Anthony Cook's shot was well saved by Lincoln and Town went in at the break still leading 1-0 The second half proved to be 45 minutes of backs to the walls defending for Town.

Ebbsfleet had the first chance from Danny Kedwell and then Town’s Simon Dunn and Williams played a neat one-two and Williams whipped in a cross which was saved.

On 48 minutes, Town’s inability to clear the ball properly nearly cost them dear as twice Parkes forced Lincoln to push the ball over the bar.

Soon after, Deaman headed the ball over Lincoln and it looked certain Godden would score into the empty net.

However, Deaman got back with a super challenge and the striker failed to get his shot away.

The visitors had plenty of firepower on their bench with league experience and the introduction of Danny Haynes and Aaron McLean unlocked the game.

Just four minutes after the pair came on, Ebbsfleet scored their equaliser after the lively Anthony Cook was given time to shoot in the area and made no mistake.

Subs Haynes and McLean then combined, but McLean's header had no power and it was easily saved.

A rare Town chance in the second half, saw sub Liam Enver-Marum’s shot pushed away.

Kedwell then had a disagreement with Southam after a very tame challenge and the Ebbsfleet players do well to pull him away, before he did something stupid.

From the resulting free-kick Kedwell headed just over the bar, as the visitors started to look for the winner.

A stray ball from sub Lloyd Macklin led to Mclean firing his shot under Lincoln, but Case made a superb clearance off the line to keep the score 1-1.

Town were then left heartbroken, as Ebbsfleet grabbed their winner in the 90th minute.

Kedwell's header was deflected on to McLean and he squeezed the ball in at the post.

Town have now lost their last two games, so have to get back to winning ways quickly as they remain in the bottom three four points from safety.

On Saturday they travel to Weston-super-Mare, who are three places above them in the table and drew 5-5 with Hemel Hempstead yesterday.

Town: Lincoln, Case, Bird, Soares, Gasson, Deaman, Dunn (sub McAuley 80mins), Southam, Connolly, Flood (sub Enver-Marum 63), Williams (sub Macklin 69). Subs (not used): Smart, Howe.

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