SECOND-HALF strikes from Nicholas Bignall and Tom Bird saw Basingstoke Town recover from a goal down to claim a win that secured third place in the final Vanarama Conference South standings.

Weston took the lead right at the end of an entertaining first half through Oliver Watkins, but Bignall headed home a corner to bring Town level just two minutes after the break.

Bird completed the comeback from the penalty spot after Lloyd Macklin had been brought down by goalkeeper Dan Jackson, who was harshly shown a red card.

The win saw Basingstoke end the season third in the table, their highest finish in the Conference South, and they will play Whitehawk in the play-off semi-finals, with the first leg away from home on Wednesday.

Town were already assured of their place in the play-offs and made several changes knowing that they would be in action again during midweek.

Mid-table Weston had little to play for, but they made an excellent start to the game, pinning Town back for the first 10 minutes.

Rob Dickie had to make a good clearance and also survived half-hearted shouts for a penalty, but the hosts were only able to create one shooting chance, Aaron Brown firing narrowly off-target from the edge of the area.

Having survived the early storm, Town were able to get a foothold in the game, creating some chances.

Jamie Brown found Chris Flood on the right side of the area, but his angled shot flashed across the face of goal, while Brown was unable to make the most of a couple of half-chances.

Basingstoke were looking especially threatening down the left and one move down that side resulted in the ball dropping to Simon Dunn, but he could only volley over.

Another decent chance fell to Dunn soon after, again after good play down the left, this time by Manny Williams. The midfielder turned well in the area, but was unable to direct his shot on target.

Weston also had opportunities, with Kane Ingram’s audacious lob dropping just wide, Bradley Ash firing off-target from a narrow angle and Watkins forcing an easy save out of Moore.

It was an open and entertaining first half, but while Town appeared to be on top, the hosts grabbed the lead in stoppage time at the end of the half.

Ingram’s header had Watkins running through and he was able to hold Dickie off before smashing an excellent shot over the top of Stuart Moore and into the roof of the net.

Town certainly didn’t deserve to be behind at the break, but they could easily have been two down just seconds after the re-start, when some sloppy defending gave Watkins the chance to shoot from inside the area. Fortunately for the visitors, he was stretching and could only shoot over.

Instead, Basingstoke went straight down the other end and pulled level.

Bignall, who had come on for James Harper late in the first half, did well to put Flood away down the left and while his effort from a narrow angle was pushed over the crossbar, Town scored from the resulting run of corners.

After his first flag-kick had been headed behind by Tom Jordan, Williams lifted the next to the back post, where Bignall rose highest to meet the ball and power home a header.

Not satisfied with one goal, a hungry-looking Bignall continued to cause problems, firing over from the edge of the area after Dunn had led a break and seeing another effort deflected into the grateful arms of Jackson.

The game was still fairly open, with Weston also creating chances. Substitute Syd Camper fired into the side-netting, while Watkins stung the palms of Moore from a narrow angle.

Town were still posing a threat, with David Ray going close from a corner, but at the other end, Ingram’s angled shot flew beyond the far post with Moore beaten.

The defining moment in the match came with 12 minutes to play. Macklin’s willingness to chase down a lost cause resulted in him nipping in to clip the ball away from Jackson, with the goalkeeper bringing him down for a penalty, with referee Richard Hulme also deciding to issue a red card.

After an extended delay while substitute goalkeeper Luke Purnell was brought on, Bird stepped up to slot home the penalty and put Town on course for three points.

Despite being down to 10 men, Weston did all they could to get back into the game, but Town defended strongly and Bird could have sealed the win on the break. He could only fire over the crossbar after skipping past the last defender, but it mattered little as the visitors saw out six minutes of added time to emerge victorious.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 7 (out of 10)

Rarely troubled, but looked calm and assured when called upon.

Robbie Rice – 7

A solid display from the dependable defender.

Tom Bird – 8

Kept his nerve to convert the match-winning penalty and a constant threat down the left flank.

Rob Dickie – 7

Out-muscled by Watkins after being left exposed for the Weston goal, but an otherwise solid display.

Jay Gasson – 7

Seems to be regaining his form after a long spell on the sidelines.

David Ray – 8

A calm and assure figure in the heart of the defence.

James Harper – 6

Still struggling with illness, he didn’t look comfortable and had to be replaced before half-time.

Simon Dunn – 8

A really bright performance. Showed great energy to lead breaks and got himself into good positions, but was unable to finish.

Chris Flood – 7

Quiet by his high standards, but still had two good chances, forcing a smart save out of Jackson with one of them.

Jamie Brown – 7

Given licence to roam forward when Harper was on the pitch. Slotted seamlessly into the holding role when he went off.

Manny Williams – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

Given a rare start in attack, he caused lots of problems drifting out to the left. Took the corner that set up the equaliser and a calming influence in midfield during the second half.

SUBSTITUTES

Nicholas Bignall (for Harper 41min) – 8

Looked fit and hungry after coming on, causing problems with his pace and power. Great header to equalise.

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 56min) – 8

Fast turning into a big player for Town. His pace and willingness to chase down lost causes won a penalty and almost led to several other chances.

Andrew Jenkinson (for Williams 75min) – 7

Helped to shore up the midfield in the closing stages.

Subs (not used): Case, Smart

Weston-super-Mare: Jackson, Edge (sub Purnell 79min), McClennan, Brown, Fortune (sub Barnes 39min), Jordan, Cane, Ingram, Ash (sub Camper 58min), Grubb, Watkins

Subs (not used): Mitchell, Sneddon-Coombes

Attendance: 231