BASINGSTOKE Town failed to get off to winning start to 2018 as they lost by the odd goal in seven at Hampshire rivals Farnborough.

It was the visitors who got off to the better start and took the lead after six minutes, when Sam Smart fired in from over 35 yards with a looping shot.

Town were then forced to make a change as George Bennett was added to their injury list and replaced by Jordan Goater.

On the half hour mark, Farnborough levelled things as Jake Evans corner beat Colm McAdden at the near post.

Worst was to follow three minutes later as a Guri Demuria foul allowed the home side to take the lead from the penalty spot thanks to Connor Calnutt, which they maintained to the break.

After the interval, it was Town who started the better and by the hour make they led 3-2.

Ben Wright was the first man on target and then centre half Demuria was the next visiting player to score.

There was still more goals in this local derby as Calnutt scored the equaliser for the home side on 72 minutes.

Then with eight minutes left, sub Lewis Ellington grabbed what turned out to be the winner.

However, the biggest talking point of the game was still to come after Town's Charlie Kennedy won a free-kick, Farnborough's Evans failed to release the ball and as Kennedy tried to get the ball, Evans ended up on the floor.

The result is a straight red card for Kennedy and the chance of a point for Town is gone.

After the game manager Terry Brown said: "Charlie was just trying to get the ball and should not have been sent off. This was another goal feast. At the moment we are scoring goals, but also conceding them, which we are going to do with a very young back four."

Next up for Town is a home game against Southern League Premier Division leaders Kettering.