BASINGSTOKE Town moved to within two points of the Vanarama Conference South leaders with a hard-earned win over north Hampshire neighbours Farnborough.

Struggling Farnborough, who are on the verge of relegation following this latest defeat, made life difficult for Town at The Soccer AM Stadium yesterday, defending deep and hoping to frustrate their hosts.

It was a tactic that worked for most of the first half, with Town restricted to half-chances, but Simon Dunn made the most of a mistake by visiting goalkeeper Magnus Norman to put his side ahead just before the break.

CJ Fearn scrambled home to level the game early in the second half, but Basingstoke were able to respond. Liam Enver-Marum converted from the penalty spot after Chris Flood was brought down by Jamie Hand, with Lloyd Macklin’s fine goal giving the hosts a cushion five minutes from time.

Farnborough ended the game on top, Jordan Robertson smashing a shot against the crossbar late on, but Town saw it out to ensure that they took maximum points from a difficult Easter programme.

With Bromley conceding a last-minute equaliser to draw 4-4 away at Maidenhead United, Basingstoke go into the last three games of the season just two points off top spot.

Boreham Wood currently lead the way, ahead of Bromley on goal-difference. However, Bromley and Town have three games remaining, while Boreham Wood and fourth-placed Havant and Waterlooville, who are level on points with Basingstoke, only have two.

Bromley are still favourites to win the title and, barring a dramatic change in Town’s goal-difference, they will do so if they can take seven points from their remaining games, but Basingstoke remain very much in the hunt.

Home manager Jason Bristow shuffled his pack as his side played their second game in the space of three days. James Harper was rested, while Jay Gasson, Louie Soares and Macklin were all dropped to the bench. Andrew Jenkinson, Simon Dunn, Chris Flood and Manny Williams came in as Town switched to four at the back and a midfield diamond.

Town enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages, but they found it difficult to create chances against Farnborough’s massed defensive ranks.

It was the visitors who had the first shot, but Josh Shama’s effort flew well wide. Half-chances fell to Dunn and David Ray as Town pressed, but they were unable to direct their efforts on target.

It was a bit of a stalemate, but Williams nearly broke the deadlock twice. His effort from 25 yards found the side-netting, while he also rose to meet a Nathan Smart cross, heading a couple of feet wide, with Enver-Marum unable to get a vital touch.

In the end, Town had to wait until two minutes before the break to take the lead. Enver-Marum did really well, cutting in from the left before firing a shot towards the near post.

He got plenty of power behind his effort, but Norman really should have held onto the ball. Instead, he spilled it at the feet of Simon Dunn, who tucked away the rebound.

Norman was called into action again in stoppage-time at the end of the half, denying Flood from an acute angle, while he also had to keep out Tom Bird’s whipped free-kick in the early stages of the second period.

Town looked fairly comfortable, but their lead was a slender one – and it was wiped out completely with 54 minutes on the clock.

The hosts failed to deal with a corner played in low to Dan Bennett at the near post, allowing the winger to turn and get a low shot away. Stuart Moore was only able to block the effort with his leg and CJ Fearn was on hand to fire home the loose ball.

Bristow responded by making a double substitution, introducing Soares and Macklin, and Town were soon back on the front foot. Ray got up to meet a corner, and while he could only head straight at Norman, the hosts edged back in front just after the hour mark.

A good move involving Jenkinson and Enver-Marum resulted in Dunn playing Flood in down the left channel. He cut inside, pushing the ball beyond Hand and going over the defender’s outstretched leg, with referee Savvas Yianni pointing to the penalty spot.

Enver-Marum stepped up to take the kick, sending Norman the wrong way to restore the home side’s narrow advantage.

Farnborough served up a warning when Jamie White volleyed into the side-netting from Jordan Robertson’s ball into the area, but in general, they didn’t really look like getting back into the game.

Soares nearly scored a lucky goal when his shot from an acute angle was blocked, the ball cannoning back off the winger and almost sneaking in at the near post, while only some good defending prevented Flood getting on the end of Jamie Brown’s ball into the area.

Macklin’s solo goal put the game beyond doubt with five minutes left. Picking up a clearance on halfway, the striker used his body to roll Ollie Treacher before outpacing Darryl Siaw to run through on goal. With just Norman to beat, Macklin slotted home calmly to give his side a two-goal cushion.

To their credit, Farnborough didn’t give up, and they were inches away from scoring a second goal with two minutes left. The hosts failed to clear their lines and the ball dropped to Robertson on the penalty spot. He fired in an excellent shot that smashed against the bottom of the crossbar before bouncing away to safety.

The visitors continued to push forward in stoppage-time, but Town held out to claim another big three points in the race for the title.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 6 (out of 10)

Not tested too much, but looked a little nervous when kicking and will be disappointed with his part in the goal that Town conceded.

Nathan Smart – 7

A solid display. Untroubled defensively and made some good contributions going forward.

Tom Bird – 7

Kept the dangerous Dan Bennett very quiet in open play, but didn’t get forward as much as usual.

Andrew Jenkinson – 7

Kept Town ticking over and played some lovely passes, but not always in the right place defensively.

Rob Dickie – 7

Had a few nervy moments, but largely untroubled.

David Ray – 7

Not really tested, but didn’t do anything wrong.

Simon Dunn – 8

Looked to be positive in possession, took his goal really well and played a part in the move that led to the penalty.

Shaun McAuley – 6

Unable to really get involved in the game and taken off before the hour mark.

Liam Enver-Marum – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

Didn’t have many chances to shine, but provided the spark that led to the opening goal and tucked the penalty away well.

Chris Flood – 7

Feeding off scraps for much of the match, but did well to win the penalty.

Manny Williams – 6

Another midfielder who struggled to get into the game. Went close with a couple of efforts, but didn’t have much of an impact overall.

SUBSTITUTES

Louie Soares (for McAuley 57min) – 7

Bright when he came on, causing problems by running with the ball.

Lloyd Macklin (for Williams 57min) – 8

His pace was a threat in the closing stages of the game. Took his goal really well.

Jamie Brown (for Jenkinson 68min) – 7

Did a good job of shoring up the midfield as Town looked to see the game out.

Subs (not used): Gasson, Bignall

Farnborough: Norman, Hand (sub Tumwa 75min), Grant, Fearn, Siaw, Treacher (sub Ngamvoulou 86min), Bennett (sub Tietu 75min), Webb, Robertson, White, Shama

Sub (not used): Chambers

Attendance: 759

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