BASINGSTOKE Town's promotion dream was brought to an abrupt end by Whitehawk at The Soccer AM Stadium yesterday afternoon.

Jake Robinson was the man who broke home hearts, firing in a fantastic shot from outside the area shortly after half-time to send his side through to a Vanarama Conference South play-off final away at Boreham Wood next weekend.

Over the course of the two-legged semi-final, Whitehawk were the better side, but the margin between defeat and victory was a small one for Town.

Having worked hard to claim a 1-1 draw in Sussex three days earlier, Basingstoke went agonisingly close to snatching the lead during the first half of the second leg, with Chris Flood heading against the post and Rob Dickie seeing his header hacked off the line.

If one of those chances had gone in, it might have been a totally different game, but they stayed out and it was Whitehawk who grabbed the vital first goal.

They then shut up shop and apart from one big chance that fell to Liam Enver-Marum, the visitors looked pretty comfortable defending their advantage.

Most of the impressive 1,749-strong crowd, the biggest at any of the four play-off semi-finals, went home disappointed, but given a couple of days to reflect, Town will be able to look back on a fine season.

It may take manager Jason Bristow a little longer to recover, but there was little more he could have done.

The Town boss made three changes, opting to switch from a 3-5-2 formation to a more attack-minded midfield diamond.

It was a brave move considering how well the team had defended in Sussex, but it’s not one that he should be regretting.

Basingstoke carried more of an attacking threat and while the change of shape made for an open game, it wasn’t to blame for the defeat.

On the day, Town didn’t play badly, but they didn’t play particularly well either.

They defended fairly well, but didn’t get as tight to the Whitehawk players as they had in Sussex, allowing them a bit too much time on the ball.

Going forward, their passing lacked some of its usual snap. They still got into good positions, but when they did, the final ball wasn’t quite there, with Whitehawk goalkeeper Craig Ross rarely troubled.

It was the visitors who had the first shot of the game, but Lee Hills’ effort was too close to Stuart Moore in the Town goal.

Basingstoke then enjoyed a good spell, with Enver-Marum almost getting beyond the visiting centre-backs from Flood’s flick.

However, Moore was soon in action again, pushing John-Paul Kissock’s effort from a narrow angle around the post after Nathan Smart had given the ball away in his own area.

Town were inches away from taking the lead with 20 minutes on the clock. Louie Soares put a free-kick into the area and Flood rose to meet it. It was a great header, with the striker desperately unlucky to see the ball bounce back off the post.

It was then Whitehawk’s turn to create some chances, with Osei Sankofa hooking an acrobatic effort narrowly wide, Flood fortunate not to concede a penalty for a poor challenge on Kissock and Sergio Torres stinging the palms of Moore from the edge of the area.

The hosts went close again on 39 minutes. Smart’s mishit cross almost caught Ross out, the goalkeeper tipping the ball over for a corner, and Tom Bird’s ball in found Dickie on the penalty spot.

He did well to get a header in on goal and Ross was beaten, but Nick Arnold was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

Whitehawk went straight down the other end, with Moore making a decent save to keep out Robinson’s effort after it took a deflection, while Scott Neilson fired just wide as the half drew to a close.

The first half had been pretty even, but the visitors made a really quick start to the second period.

Moore had to be alert to keep out on effort from the edge of the area and was soon shouting at his defence for a second time after Neilson was allowed to dance beyond a couple of challenges and shoot narrowly wide.

A goal certainly looked on the cards and it duly arrived on 51 minutes. Robinson was given time and space to let fly from 25 yards, but it was a spectacular strike, finding the top corner and giving Moore no chance.

David Ray headed a difficult chance wide as Town looked to respond, with Bristow throwing Shaun McAuley and Lloyd Macklin into the fray as his side searched for a goal.

However, for the most part, Whitehawk looked fairly comfortable and Neilson almost doubled the lead, firing narrowly over from distance.

Town’s big chance fell to Enver-Marum with 71 minutes on the clock. The striker found himself in space on the right side of the area, but his angled shot rolled wide of the far post.

After that, the hosts tried their best to create chances, but they were unable to break down the Whitehawk defence. A few set-pieces almost caused problems, but just evaded Town attackers.

Neilson had two chances to extend their lead in injury-time at the end of the game. His effort from a narrow angle rolled across the face of goal, while another angled strike was kept out by Moore.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 8 (out of 10)

Another really good display. No chance with the goal and made several decent saves.

Nathan Smart – 6

Looked nervous, missing a few tackles and giving the ball away in bad areas.

Tom Bird – 7

Didn’t do anything wrong, but kept quiet as an attacking threat by Whitehawk’s tricky wingers.

James Harper – 7

Kept the ball well and took up decent positions.

Rob Dickie – 8 – Gazette Star Man

Solid at the back and even able to embark on a couple of his trademark dribbles out of defence.

David Ray – 8

Another really good game. Made some vital headers, blocks and challenges.

Louie Soares – 6

His ball into the area that led to Flood hitting the post was a high-spot, but otherwise had a very quiet game.

Simon Dunn – 7

Town’s best midfielder on the day. Worked tirelessly, showed some nice touches and played a couple of incisive passes.

Liam Enver-Marum – 6

Did a decent job of holding the ball up but deprived of chances and failed to make the most of the one big opportunity that came his way.

Chris Flood – 7

Worked as hard as ever and really unlucky to see his header come back off the post. Fortunate not to concede a penalty.

Manny Williams – 6

Unable to really get involved in the game from his position in behind the front two.

SUBSTITUTES

Shaun McAuley (for Soares 60min) – 7

Made a difference when he came on. Took up good positions and looked lively.

Lloyd Macklin (for Williams 60min) – 6

Never really able to get into the game. No space for him to run into.

Jamie Brown (for Dunn 81min) – 6

Brought on late in the day to improve Town’s physicality in midfield.

Subs (not used): Gasson, Rice

Whitehawk: Ross, Arnold, Hills, Hamilton, Sankofa, Kissock (sub Ijaha 62min), Deering (sub Guyonnet 80min), Torres, Robinson, Mills (sub Gargan 75min), Neilson

Subs (not used): Rose, Abdulla

Attendance: 1,749

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