BASINGSTOKE Town bounced back from an early FA Cup exit with two victories, meaning its four on the trot in the league for Terry Brown’s men.

The return to Evo-Stik South Premier action started with a tight contest as the Dragons welcomed St Ives on Saturday, 9 September, leaving it late to take all three points in a 3-2 victory.

Town were on the front foot early on with Ben Wright hitting the post before Dan Collier’s follow-up effort was deflected towards Ives’ goalkeeper James Goff.

It wasn’t long until the hosts were in front when Jack McKnight set up Sam Smart for a free run on goal, and he beat Goff from 15 yards out.

The lead was doubled when Wright curled the free kick over a five-man wall into the top corner on 39 minutes.

However, Town could not hold on to the two-goal advantage going into the break as Ives pulled one back through Jimmy Hartley, who bundled the ball in from close range.

Just after the hour mark, Ives equalised in controversial fashion as a goalmouth scramble led to the ball falling to an offside-looking Ben Seymour-Shove, whose subsequent goal was awarded despite protests from the home side.

With the game looking destined for a draw, substitute Sam Deadfield left it late to stab his effort home making sure town had the three points.

Then, on Tuesday night, the Dragons made it four wins on the bounce with an impressive 2-0 win at The Camrose against Merthyr Town.

With the rainfall not affecting play, it was honours even at half time with both sides having the opportunity to take the lead.

However, it took two second half goals from Smart to give Town the win and moves them up to tenth place in the table.

Town will travel to fifth place Tiverton Town on Saturday, before they begin their defence of the Hampshire Senior Cup with a second round clash against Gosport Borough on Tuesday.