BASINGSTOKE Town bounced back to end a difficult week with an impressive victory over Vanarama Conference South leaders Boreham Wood at The Soccer AM Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts were not at their fluent best for the opening hour and trailed to Ricky Shakes’ 18th-minute strike, but Chris Flood’s equaliser sparked them into life.

They were the better side in the closing stages, creating several good chances before Flood’s second goal just three minutes from time ensured that they took all three points.

Town boss Jason Bristow named the same team that had started the previous weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Havant and Waterlooville but neither side was able to grab hold of the game in the early stages.

Boreham Wood were slightly on top, with Jay Gasson lucky to survive an appeal for handball in the area and Austin Lipman heading wide, though the offside flag was up.

Basingstoke’s Louie Soares forced visiting goalkeeper James Russell into action, his volley requiring a smart save from the Boreham Wood stopper.

However, it wasn’t long before Town goalkeeper Stuart Moore was also called upon, tipping Graeme Montgomery’s shot over the crossbar after a nice interchange on the edge of the area.

Boreham Wood took the lead from the resulting corner. A deep kick found Luke Garrard unmarked beyond the far post and his header across goal was flicked over his shoulder and into the net by Shakes.

Moore then produced an excellent reaction save to prevent Montgomery doubling the lead, while the same player’s cross/shot didn’t go too far wide.

Basingstoke showed signs of recovery as the half went on. Fine play from Manny Williams almost put Flood in, with Williams then testing Russell from distance on the rebound. Louie Soares then got in down the left, but his low centre just evaded Liam Enver-Marum and Shaun McAuley.

The hosts went really close to levelling just before the break, when McAuley’s corner was only cleared as far as Tom Bird on the edge of the area. His shot fell for Gasson, but both he and David Ray were denied by brave blocks.

As the half ticked into stoppage-time, Enver-Marum had the ball in the net, but his lobbed finish was ruled out for offside.

Neither side was able to take control immediately after the break. Town were the first to go close, Flood’s centre just too far ahead of Soares following an excellent pass from Williams, but they did level with 58 minutes on the clock.

Nathan Smart played the ball into the feet of Enver-Marum and his first-time pass released McAuley down the right. He made ground before playing the perfect pass for Flood in the centre and he slotted the ball underneath Russell to level the scores.

Buoyed by their goal, Town took the game to the visitors, playing at a much higher tempo. There were chances at both ends, with Russell flapping at a cross and Flood slipping when in a good shooting position, while Lipman’s low centre almost led to a Boreham Wood goal.

Town were on top though, with McAuley causing problems down the right. He put in two fine crosses but Flood was unable to get enough on the first, while the second flew just over the forwards’ heads.

Next, it was the visitors’ turn to threaten, with Town just about surviving a goalmouth scramble, before Flood was played through but got his finish all wrong, the ball ending up nearer the corner flag than the goal.

Moore was called into serious action twice in the space of three minutes as the game drew towards its conclusion. He did well to force Lee Angol wide and block his effort, while the ’keeper then produced a contender for save of the season.

Despite most of the players, and the referee, getting caught up in a minor altercation on the touchline, Boreham Wood were allowed to take a quick throw. The ball was squared for unmarked substitute David Moli and his low shot looked sure to put the visitors ahead, but Moore somehow got down to push the ball around the post.

That save became even more important minutes later, as Flood raced onto Bird’s ball down the channel before firing a low shot between Russell’s legs to score the winner.

Boreham Wood created one last chance during four minutes of stoppage-time, but Montgomery could only volley wide and Town took all three points to climb to third in the table. They are just one point behind Boreham Wood, who remain top, but Basingstoke have a game in hand.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 9 (out of 10)

Pulled off several fantastic saves, including a game-changer in the closing stages.

Nathan Smart – 7

Not at his best in the first half but it was his fine pass that led to the equaliser.

Tom Bird – 7

A quiet game by his standards. Good ball to set up the winner.

Louie Soares – 8

One of Town’s best players in the first half. Caused problems down the left.

Jay Gasson – 7

Pretty solid but caused problems by the impressive Lee Angol. Lucky not to concede a penalty.

David Ray – 9

Outstanding defensive display. Didn’t put a foot wrong throughout.

Simon Dunn – 7

Solid display in the holding midfield role.

Shaun McAuley – 8

His performance summed up Town’s day. Very quiet for 55 minutes but excellent in the last 35. Set up the equaliser and put in some dangerous crosses.

Liam Enver-Marum – 7

Worked hard and had a big hand in the equaliser but didn’t get many chances to shine.

Chris Flood – 8

Two more goals take his tally for the season to seven in nine games.

Manny Williams – 9 (Gazette Star Man)

The man who made Town tick going forward. Took up good positions and caused lots of problems in the space between Boreham Wood’s defence and midfield.

SUBSTITUTES

Jamie Brown (for Soares 74min) – 7

Brought up to secure the midfield and did just that.

Robbie Rice (for Williams 90+2min) – 6

No real chance to have an impact on the game.

Subs (not used): Jenkinson, Macklin, Argent.

Boreham Wood: Russell, Nunn, Garrard, Cox, Hill, Reynolds, Whichelow, Shakes, Angol, Lipman (sub Moli 73min), Montgomery. Subs (not used): Thomas, Morgan, Parsons, Noto.

Attendance: 679