BASINGSTOKE Town moved to the top of the Vanarama Conference South after surviving a second-half fight-back to beat Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday.

The Dragons were outstanding in the first half and well worth the 3-1 lead they took into the break.

However, hosts Stortford were a different proposition in the second half. They piled the pressure on the Town defence and pulled a goal back on 72 minutes to set up a dramatic finale to the game.

Pleasingly for manager Jason Bristow, his side were able to hold out in the face of some serious pressure for the second game running.

An unchanged Town side were on the back foot as Stortford made a bright start, but it was the visitors who struck the first blow on seven minutes.

Louie Soares won the ball in midfield and it broke for Liam Enver-Marum. Stortford appealed for handball as the striker controlled the ball but referee Alan Young waved play on and Enver-Marum played Chris Flood in.

He made no mistake with just goalkeeper Joe Wright to beat, squeezing the ball underneath the Stortford custodian to open the scoring.

Most of the players joined in the celebrations, with Town re-creating the Bird Dance routine showcased by Tom Bird, David Ray and Shaun McAuley on that morning’s edition of Soccer AM.

The goal totally changed the course of the game, with Town totally on top for the rest of the half, dominating the midfield.

McAuley and Flood were unable to make the most of half-chances, though Flood should have done better on 15 minutes, firing over when left unattended on the penalty spot.

Enver-Marum also went close on two occasions, putting one effort wide and then being denied a certain goal by an excellent challenge.

McAuley really should have doubled the lead just after the half-an-hour mark, blasting over following good play from Soares, Flood and Simon Dunn.

However, that was soon forgotten as Flood doubled the lead with 32 minutes on the clock, expertly curling the ball into the far corner when Stortford failed to deal with a low centre from Bird.

It was a fifth goal in seven matches for the striker, who is proving to be a fantastic signing for Town.

Stortford pulled a goal back on 42 minutes, Ryan Auger being afforded the time to fire a rocket of a shot past Stuart Moore from 30 yards.

However, Basingstoke responded just two minutes later. Bird’s low centre found Flood and his clever touch gave Enver-Marum the chance to finish from close range, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper.

The visitors almost extended their lead early in the second half, Flood’s lob ending up on the roof of the net after determined play from Enver-Marum drew Wright out of his area.

However, the hosts were a different side after the break, pressing the ball much better and pushing Town back.

They caused lots of problems from set-pieces and it took a fantastic save from Moore to deny George Allen after Basingstoke missed several chances to clear a free-kick, with Rod Young wastefully blasting the rebound over.

Town were on the back foot and under pressure, but Stortford were largely restricted to long-range efforts.

The hosts did go close again on the hour. Substitute George Sykes, who impressed after coming on, produced a great piece of skill to lift the ball over Ray, but Moore pulled off another good save to deny him.

Town felt they should have had a penalty when the ball appeared to strike a Stortford player on the arm, while the introduction of Lloyd Macklin made them even more of a threat on the break.

Sadly, his finishing didn’t match his pace when a long ball put him in behind. A poor touch took him wide and Wright was able to save.

The pressure was ramped up another notch on 72 minutes.

Again a set-piece, this time a free-kick, caused problems. Town were unable to properly clear and when Spencer McCall headed the ball back into the danger-zone, George Allen was able to flick it in with his head.

Needing just one point for a draw, the hosts piled forward. Danny Fitzsimons headed a corner wide, while Auger fired just past the post with another piledriver from distance.

Town had chances to put the game beyond doubt as it ticked into five long minutes of injury-time.

McAuley twice shot too close to Wright from narrow angles, while Macklin somehow missed an open goal, finding only the side-netting after robbing Wright just outside the area.

There was to be one last chance for the hosts though. Again a set-piece caused problems, giving Sheldon Sellears a clear sight of goal.

Moore was able to save his angled drive and Basingstoke just about survived the ensuing scramble to continue their fine start to the season.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Simon Moore – 8 out of 10

No chance with either of the goals and made some critical saves in the second half.

Nathan Smart – 7

A solid display from the dependable right-back.

Tom Bird – 7

A performance of two halves. Outstanding before the break, almost running the game from left-back. Not as good in the second half, giving the ball away in bad areas and struggling to contain the pace of Rod Young.

Louie Soares – 7

Worked hard in midfield and had a hand in the opening goal.

Jay Gasson – 8

Kept the dangerous Mikel Suarez quiet in the first half and did well against Young after the break.

David Ray – 8

A good game from the centre-back. Made some important challenges and blocks.

Simon Dunn – 7

Asked to play in front of the back four again. Did well in the first half but found himself swamped after the break.

Shaun McAuley – 7

Part of a Town midfield that dominated before the break but struggled to get a foothold in the second half.

Liam Enver-Marum – 8

Made a goal, scored a goal and worked much harder than usual off the ball.

Chris Flood – 9 (Gazette Star Man)

Another outstanding performance from Town’s in-form striker. Two more goals and an assist in the first half, before dropping into midfield for the team after the break.

Manny Williams – 7

Linked the play well in the first half. Worked hard to help maintain the lead in the second.

SUBSTITUTES

Andrew Jenkinson (for Soares 63min) – 6

Brought on to sure up the midfield but unable to have much of an impact as Stortford dominated.

Lloyd Macklin (for Enver-Marum 66min) – 5

His pace caused problems and created chances, but he was unable to take them. Missed an open goal late on. Time for Sam Argent to be given a chance in the substitute striker role.

Robbie Rice (for Williams 83min) – 7 Brought on as a midfield fire-fighter, he made some important tackles and blocks in the closing stages.

Subs (not used): Maylen, Argent.

Bishop's Stortford: Wright, Miller (sub Baker 83min), Herd, McCall, Allen, Fitzsimons, Sellears, Church, Young, Suarez (sub Sykes 56min), Auger. Subs (not used): Melaugh, Osei, Anderson.

Attendance: 444