BASINGSTOKE Town showed plenty of patience to earn a well-deserved victory over a stubborn Eastbourne Borough side at The Soccer AM Stadium yesterday afternoon.

The hosts were the better side throughout, hitting the frame of the goal twice in the first half and creating several other clear chances, but they were unable to make the breakthrough for more than an hour and it looked like it might not be their day.

However, the defining moment of the match came 20 minutes from time. Having just been brought on in place of the hamstrung Simon Dunn, Shaun McAuley latched on to Manny Williams’ through-ball to slot past visiting goalkeeper Lewis Carey.

Eastbourne did their best to respond in the closing stages, but while they enjoyed a bit of pressure, Town defended pretty solidly to restrict them to efforts from distance and close out the game to claim their fourth successive victory.

It really has been an excellent festive period for Basingstoke, who sit third in the Vanarama Conference South after winning all four of their Christmas and new year fixtures. They are two points behind second-placed Bromley, with a game in hand, and seven behind leaders Boreham Wood, who have played four more games.

The hosts made two changes to the side that had beaten Staines Town three days earlier and Basingstoke fans will have been delighted to see Williams and Liam Enver-Marum named on the bench after recovering from knee injuries.

The game was a pretty open affair in the early stages. Eastbourne’s Dean Sinclair shot narrowly wide in the opening minute and former Town loanee Frankie Raymond also put an effort just past the post shortly after.

Town should have taken the lead on seven minutes, when Dunn did brilliantly to control the ball before playing Chris Flood in with an exquisite pass. Sadly, the striker was unable to convert, taking the ball around Carey but running out of space, with his effort ultimately blocked by a retreating defender.

The hosts went even closer from the resulting corner. David Ray’s header looked set for the bottom corner, but a defender guarding the post was somehow able to redirect the ball onto the crossbar, with Dickie firing the rebound over.

Stuart Moore had to make a smart save to deny Eastbourne’s Nathaniel Pinney as the game continued to ebb and flow, while Town’s Lloyd Macklin was unable to make the most of a difficult headed chance.

Macklin had two even better chances around the half-hour mark. The first saw him excellently challenged by Marvin Harrison, whose earlier mistake had led to the chance, while the striker then rattled the post after latching on to a chipped ball over the defence.

Town survived a scare in injury-time at the end of the first half, just about clearing their lines after the ball bounced around in the area following a corner, while only a spectacular save from Moore kept the game scoreless just after the interval.

Raymond’s free-kick took a deflection off the wall but bobbled into the six-yard box. It looked like Josh Hare had a tap-in, but Moore dived full-length to make an absolutely fantastic block.

Generally though, it was Basingstoke who looked far more likely to break the deadlock. Nathan Smart’s pull-back almost led to a goal, but both Flood and Williams, who had come on as one of two half-time substitutes for Town, failed to make proper contact.

Rob Dickie’s outstanding pass then put Flood through on goal, but he chose to pass and was unable to link up with the supporting Williams.

More opportunities followed, with Flood’s poke at goal following a corner cleared off the line, Dickie putting a header wide and a low ball across the six-yard box evading everyone.

Just when it seemed that the hosts might be frustrated, they made the breakthrough courtesy of McAuley, who took his shot early to beat Carey at his near post after good work from Williams.

Eastbourne pressed, but Town were generally able to keep the visitors at arm’s length. Ryan Worrall and Raymond both shot wide from outside the area, though Andrew Jenkinson had to make a vital block to stop Gavin McCallum getting an effort on goal from closer in.

It really wasn’t Flood’s day in front of goal, the striker being denied by Carey after cutting in from the right, with the loose ball evading Williams.

Eastbourne had one last chance, in injury-time. A slightly weak punch from Moore left him out of position as the ball dropped to McCallum, but he was unable to keep his volley down, firing over the crossbar.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 8 (out of 10)

Didn’t have too much to do, but his excellent save early in the second half was just as vital as the winning goal.

Nathan Smart – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

Another energetic display down the right flank. Got into good areas and put some decent deliveries into the box.

Tom Bird – 7

Eastbourne had done their homework and worked hard to limit his impact on the game. Still managed to put in a few dangerous crosses and didn’t put a foot wrong defensively.

Robbie Rice – 8

Sometimes goes unnoticed, but another solid display in defence. Eastbourne’s experienced strikers got no change out of him.

Rob Dickie – 8

Over-played at times, but caused problems coming out from defence and his pass to release Flood was terrific. Solid at the back as well.

David Ray – 8

Continues to impress at the heart of the defence.

Jamie Brown – 7

Protected the back four well before being forced off at half-time.

Simon Dunn – 8

Linked the midfield and attack well, showing plenty of energy. Picked up another injury.

Lloyd Macklin – 7

Got into some good positions but will probably feel that he should have been on the scoresheet.

Chris Flood – 7

Worked hard and caused problems, but failed to take his chances.

Louie Soares – 7

A quiet game by his standards, but he helped the hosts to keep possession.

SUBSTITUTES

Andrew Jenkinson (for Brown 45min) – 7

Took over Brown’s role in the second half and made an important block late on.

Manny Williams (for Macklin 45min) – 8

Great energy and held the ball up well. Played a key part in the winning goal.

Shaun McAuley (for Dunn 67min) – 8

Kept his composure and took his chance really well just minutes after joining the action.

Subs (not used): Enver-Marum, Case

Eastbourne Borough: Carey, Hamilton, Khinda-John, Aldred, Simpemba, Raymond, Hare, Sinclair (sub Worrall 70min), Pacquette (sub Lok 64min), Johnson, Pinney (sub McCallum 64min). Subs (not used): Haysman, Taylor

Attendance: 572