BASINGSTOKE Town's hopes of winning the Vanarama Conference South title were dealt a potentially fatal blow by Wealdstone.

A crowd of more than 1,000 were at The Soccer AM Stadium on Saturday and while they witnessed a decent game, the majority went home disappointed.

Wes Parker gave the visitors an early lead and while Manny Williams levelled almost immediately from the penalty spot, further goals from Luke O’Nien and Jefferson Louis had Wealdstone 3-1 up after 28 minutes.

Town briefly threatened a comeback, substitute Lloyd Macklin reducing the deficit to a single goal with 14 minutes left, but once again the visitors found an instant response, Thomas Hamblin netting from close range just two minutes later.

It was a bad day at the office for the hosts, who were second-best in both boxes. They defended poorly, conceding four preventable goals, and failed to make the most of several good chances at the other end.

The departure of Reading loanee Rob Dickie due to his call up to the England Under-19 squad forced Town manager Jason Bristow into a change in the centre of defence, Jay Gasson coming in to partner David Ray.

Gasson, who has been out for several months with a broken toe, struggled badly up against the pace, power and experience of Wealdstone’s Louis, who was the game’s stand-out performer.

The hosts made a bright start, with Tom Bird firing over from distance, Liam Enver-Marum seeing his shot blocked and Chris Flood heading too close to Jonathan North in the Wealdstone goal.

After struggling in the first 10 minutes, the hosts managed to get a foothold in the game, but it was still slightly against the run of play that they took the lead on 19 minutes.

Daniel Brown got above Ray to head at goal from a free-kick and while Stuart Moore was able to keep that effort out, he could only shovel the ball straight to an unmarked Parker, and he netted the loose ball.

Town reacted well, with Enver-Marum forcing a decent save out of North after a poor defensive header – and seconds later, the hosts were awarded a penalty.

A good move down the right ended with Shaun McAuley lobbing a high cross into the area. It was always going to be an easy one for North to claim, but Parker decided to barge into Enver-Marum as the ball went over their heads. Referee John Busby pointed to the spot and Williams converted the penalty with aplomb.

However, parity lasted only a minute. Wealdstone hit their hosts on the break, with Ryan Watts’ cross to the far post finding Louis. He got above both Gasson and Bird to head the ball down, with Luke O’Nien beating Robbie Rice to the loose ball.

The visitors doubled their lead six minutes later. Louis received the ball into feet 35 yards from goal, rolled around Gasson and then out-paced the defender, making ground into the area before firing an angled drive beyond Moore.

It was a really nice goal, but Gasson will certainly feel that he could have done more to prevent it.

Having taken control of the game, the visitors looked to shut up shop, getting men behind the ball. As the half drew to a close, North made a smothering save to deny Flood from a narrow angle, while Enver-Marum really should have scored when the goalkeeper could only parry Rice’s effort from distance.

It was a big moment in the game, but the striker could only find the side-netting. Moments later, he was presented with another decent chance, but his angled drive was placed far too close to North.

The hosts continued to create chances after the break. Williams was unable to direct a header on target from a narrow angle, but an even better opening fell to Gasson.

The ball was bouncing around in the area following a corner and it dropped to the centre-back, but he was unable to hit the target from 10 yards.

Enver-Marum then put an angled shot wide, while substitute Simon Dunn was unable to make the most of a clear sight of goal, failing to get enough on his shot to beat North.

Bird and Rice both had decent efforts blocked as the hosts continued to press, and they got a second goal with 14 minutes left to play. Another Bird shot was blocked, but Macklin was on hand to guide the ball just inside the post from about 14 yards.

However, the Wealdstone response was immediate. O’Nien put in a near-post corner that Dunn misjudged, the ball skimming off the top of his head for Hamblin to scramble it in from close range.

That killed the game off, but the hosts almost set up a nervous finale. Good work from Enver-Marum saw him break clear and square for substitute Nicholas Bignall, but North dived bravely at his feet and the striker could not direct the ball on target.

The news from elsewhere was mixed. Title favourites Bromley could only draw at Bath City, but all of the other big players won.

Town are now four points behind Bromley, with leaders Boreham Wood a further point ahead, having played a game more. Below them, the race for the play-off places is really hotting up, with just four points separating third-placed Basingstoke and Concord Rangers, who sit seventh.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 6 (out of 10)

Let down badly by his defence, but may feel that he could have done more to prevent the opening goal.

Robbie Rice – 6

One of Town’s more solid performers, but he lost O’Nien for Wealdstone’s second goal.

Tom Bird – 7

Gave the ball away a bit too often, but he was Town’s brightest spark going forward and kept the dangerous Shaun Lucien quiet.

James Harper – 7 (Gazette Star Man)

Rarely gave the ball away and ran his socks off trying to help out the back four.

Jay Gasson – 4

A really bad afternoon. Looked rusty after an extended spell on the sidelines. Unable to deal with Louis, at fault for at least two of the goals, missed a great chance and badly sliced a couple of clearances.

David Ray – 5

A rare off-day. Beaten in the air by Brown in the build-up to the first goal and allowed Hamblin to get in front of him and score the fourth.

Louie Soares – 5

Sloppy in possession throughout, giving the ball away too easily.

Shaun McAuley – 6

Worked hard and put in the cross that led to the penalty, but gave the ball away too often.

Liam Enver-Marum – 6

Got himself into good positions, but failed to take his chances. Will be particularly disappointed not to have found the net with a rebound just before half-time.

Chris Flood – 6

Worked hard, but didn’t have much chance to shine.

Manny Williams – 6

Converted the penalty with aplomb and showed a few nice touches, but in general, the game seemed to pass him by.

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for McAuley 58min) – 7

Took his goal really well.

Simon Dunn (for Soares 66min) – 6

A bright spark when he came on, putting in some really good attacking passes. Blotted his copybook by making a mistake for the fourth goal.

Nicholas Bignall (for Williams 82min) – 6

Didn’t really have a chance to get into the game.

Subs (not used): Smart, Jenkinson

Wealdstone: North, Martin, Watts, Parker, Hamblin, Godfrey, Lucien (sub McGleish 81min), Brown, Louis (sub Wright 73min), Ball, O’Nien

Subs (not used): Jolly, Corcoran, Hammond

Attendance: 1,034

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