DEFENSIVE mistakes and a lack of a cutting edge cost Basingstoke Town as they slumped to a second defeat at the start of the National League South season.

The hosts kept the ball really well and put together some nice sequences of play, but they were second best in both penalty areas, allowing Bath City to depart The Camrose with three points last night.

A pair of defensive atrocities, one committed by striker Liam Enver-Marum, the other by right-back Nathan Smart, led to the hosts conceding two penalties over the course of the evening.

Goalkeeper Aaron Howe managed to save both of Ashley Kington's tame spot-kicks, but the midfielder was able to bundle home the rebound to net what proved to be the winner just before the break, Smart having cancelled out Kevin Nicholson's earlier strike.

In an attacking sense, while Town played good football throughout, they struggled to create openings and seemed unwilling to put crosses into the area until the closing stages. When they did put balls into the box, chances were created, but a combination of poor finishing and some excellent goalkeeping kept them at bay.

Manager Jason Bristow named an unchanged team and his charges got off to a good start, Enver-Marum curling an early shot just wide after linking up well with Tom Bird.

However, some slack marking from a corner almost saw them fall behind after five minutes, Dan Ball rising unchallenged to head at goal, with Howe making a fantastic save to deny him.

Town enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the first half, but they struggled to break down a stubborn Bath side and the visitors tested Howe again on 17 minutes, the goalkeeper beating away Jon Davies' effort after a neat touch from former Town man David Pratt.

Enver-Marum fired narrowly over after good play from James Harper as Basingstoke continued to press, but they were hit by a sucker-punch on 23 minutes.

Jamie Brown was unfortunate to be penalised 25 yards out, seeming to slip as he won the ball, and Nicholson bent an excellent free-kick into the bottom corner to open the scoring.

The lead only lasted six minutes though, Smart firing home from 10 yards after the hosts failed to deal with Enver-Marum's low centre.

Enver-Marum looked dangerous throughout and he raced on to Manny Williams' through-ball before letting fly, but Steve Phillips in the Bath goal made the save, with Chris Flood heading the resulting corner wide.

However, while Town were on top, they conceded a terrible goal seconds before half-time.

Enver-Marum was fouled just inside his own half and decided to take the free-kick quickly. Unfortunately, his cross-field ball picked out Bath forward Nick McCootie who advanced into the area before being clipped by David Ray for a penalty.

Kington's spot-kick was poor but while Howe managed to keep the ball out with his feet, the midfielder was able to get to the rebound first and tuck it home to spare his blushes and give the visitors a half-time lead.

Town started the second half slowly, but they seemed to be getting on top, winning a string of corners.

However, a long clearance forward from one of these had last man Smart under pressure and running towards his own goal. He chose not to pass back to Howe and was robbed by Davies, with Howe bringing the forward down just inside the area to concede a penalty.

With Smart covering, referee Ashvin Dagnarain decided that a yellow card was ample punishment, so Howe remained on the field to deny Kington from the penalty spot for a second time.

On this occasion, the goalkeeper was able to hold on to the ball, but the hosts, who had been on top, seemed to be shaken, and it took them a while to regain control.

Pratt almost created a third goal for McCootie, but Town piled on the pressure in the final 10 minutes.

Enver-Marum was unable to make the most of an excellent header through from Louie Soares, while substitute Lloyd Macklin missed his big chance, volleying wide from Smart's cross.

Phillips then pulled off a fantastic double save in injury-time, keeping out Enver-Marum's header from Bird's cross before getting to his feet quickly to block Smart's effort on the rebound.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Aaron Howe - 8 (out of 10)

A strange, but really good display. Little fault can be attached to him for conceding the second penalty, while he saved two spot-kicks and made an excellent stop to prevent the visitors scoring early on.

Nathan Smart - 6

A really mixed evening. Got forward to score and put some excellent crosses into the area in the closing stages, but struggled to deal with the pace and power of McCootie and was responsible for the concession of the second penalty.

Tom Bird - 7

A threat going forward, putting some excellent balls into the area in the closing stages.

James Harper - 7

Kept the ball well as usual and looked dangerous when he drove forward from midfield.

Jay Gasson - 8 - Gazette Star Man

Dealt with the threat posed by Pratt really well and much better in possession, playing the ball simple and to team-mates.

David Ray - 6

His miss-timed tackle led to the winning goal, but he had been hung out to dry by Enver-Marum. Solid as ever otherwise.

Louie Soares - 7

Covered the pitch well and tried to make something happen in a congested midfield.

Jamie Brown - 7

Unfortunate to be penalised for the free-kick that led to the first goal. Didn't do anything wrong, but Town may have benefitted from having a more attacking player in midfield for this game.

Liam Enver-Marum - 5

Another player whose evening was very much mixed. Made good runs and looked the most likely Town scorer, but his decision making in the final third was questionable at times and his quickly-taken free-kick led to the Bath winner.

Chris Flood - 6

Worked hard, but didn't really get into the game.

Manny Williams - 5

Showed glimpses of his quality, but marked out of the game by Bath and looked a forlorn figure before he was substituted.

SUBSTITUTES

Lloyd Macklin (for Flood 66min) - 6

Made a difference when he came on, but fluffed his big chance.

Shaun McAuley (for Williams 73min) - 7

Staked a claim to Williams' position just behind the strikers with some clever touches.

Subs (not used): Simon Dunn, Robbie Rice, Will Salmon

Bath City: Steve Phillips, Andy Gallinagh, Kevin Nicholson, Matt Coupe, Dan Ball, Chas Hemmings, Brad Williams, Ashley Kington, David Pratt, Jon Davies (sub Louis Perry 88min), Nick McCootie (sub Dan Bowman 83min)

Subs (not used): Liam Monelle, Ryan Bole, Jake Slogett

Attendance: 547

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