A LATE header from Ryan Woodford condemned struggling Basingstoke Town to another defeat as their miserable start to the season continues.

There were just two minutes of Monday's game at The Camrose remaining when the Gosport Borough centre-back got above his marker to meet Tom Dunford's corner and power a header into the Town net.

The result, like several before it, was harsh on the hosts, who were much-improved from their dismal showing at Hayes and Yeading United two days earlier.

Chances were at a premium throughout a tight game, but Town matched a strong Gosport side and were unfortunate to see two efforts from Matt Partridge cleared off the line.

Whether they showed enough creativity to deserve all three points is up for debate, but there can be no question that a draw would have been fair reward for their endeavours.

However, that will be little comfort to manager Jason Bristow, whose side are now in the National League South relegation zone, 16 points behind the leaders and 11 points outside the play-off places.

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Having seen his team under-perform at Hayes and Yeading two days earlier, Bristow decided to ring the changes, switching to a 3-5-2 system and making four personnel changes.

Jay Gasson, Nathan Smart, Simon Dunn and Sam Akinde all came into the team, with Robbie Rice, Will Salmon, Liam Enver-Marum and Lloyd Macklin all dropped.

The game, played in damp and dreary conditions, got off to a slow start, but it was Town who created the first chance, Louie Soares setting up Dunn on the edge of the area. The midfielder was not under a great deal of pressure but blasted wastefully over the crossbar.

Gosport, who have made a strong start to the season, gradually managed to get on top, working extremely hard to stop the hosts passing through midfield.

They enjoyed a fair deal of possession and territory in the early stages, but Town held firm defensively and caused problems when they were able to break out.

There was a heart-in-mouth moment as Justin Bennett beat Basingstoke goalkeeper Aaron Howe to David Ray's under-hit back-pass, but the striker could only poke wide.

At the other end, Gosport put their bodies on the line, making brave blocks to deny Tom Bird and Jay Gasson.

It was the visitors who went closest to opening the scoring in the first half, breaking quickly from a corner through Jamie White, who cut inside before firing off a shot that clipped the far post on its way wide.

Bennett also forced a save from Howe, the goalkeeper diving to his left to keep out the striker's low shot from a free-kick.

Basingstoke ended the half well, with Tom Bird firing wide from distance and Chris Flood, Town's best player on the day, having two chances, both of which he created himself.

The striker showed good feet to break into the area before firing in a low shot that Nathan Ashmore did well to tip around the post, while another run into the box ended with a shot that was well blocked.

The second half began slowly, but Town were close to opening the scoring on 57 minutes. Again Flood provided the spark, producing a good turn to beat one defender before playing in Soares, whose angled drive was well saved by Ashmore.

Flood then forced the visiting goalkeeper into another save with a shot on the stretch from the edge of the area.

The hosts continued to press as the half went on and when Gosport needlessly conceded a corner, Partridge almost made them pay, getting up well to meet Bird's ball in at the near post but seeing Dunford clear off the line.

The former Dagenham and Redbridge man was denied again with nine minutes to play. Gosport failed to deal with a Soares corner and the ball dropped to Partridge, whose low shot was chested off the line by Elliott Wheeler.

However, having failed to convert their chances, Town were hit by a late sucker-punch.

They were served with warnings as Justin Bennett failed to convert Daniel Wooden's cross and was then inches away from getting a vital touch on George Barker's deflected shot.

However, Town were powerless to prevent Woodford snatching all three points for the visitors with just two minutes left.

Basingstoke tried to rally but were unable to find a way through and almost conceded a second goal in stoppage-time, Howe making a good save to deny Barker after a terrible throw from Nathan Smart.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Aaron Howe - 8 (out of 10)
Didn't have many saves to make but made a couple of decent stops and did well coming for crosses. No chance with the goal.

Matt Partridge - 7
Looked uncomfortable in the first half, giving the ball away too often, but grew into the game. A real threat at set-pieces and unfortunate to have two efforts cleared off the line.

Tom Bird - 7
rovided good width on the left, putting in some dangerous crosses.

James Harper - 6
Worked hard defensively, but stifled going forward as Gosport closed him down very quickly.

Jay Gasson - 7
A good return to the side. Looked comfortable on the left side of the back three.

David Ray - 7
One under-hit back-pass aside, another solid display.

Louie Soares - 7
Flitted in and out of the game, but involved in several good moments. Denied by a good save, but his shot was at a nice height for the 'keeper.

Nathan Smart - 7
Looked assured in his most natural position as a wing-back, where his speed and stamina make him a real asset.

Sam Akinde - 7
Didn't get a great deal of service, but showed flashes of promise. Still doesn't look fully fit.

Chris Flood - 8 - Gazette Star Man
Comfortably Town's best attacking player. Despite having relatively few opportunities to shine, he caused problems with his pace and trickery, making three chances for himself and one for Soares.

Simon Dunn - 6
Worked his socks off, but unable to really get into the game.

Subs (not used): Liam Enver-Marum, Manny Williams, Harrison Gilkes, Will Salmon, Robbie Rice

Gosport Borough: Nathan Ashmore, TJ Cuthbertson, Rory Williams, Mike Carter, Brett Poate, Ryan Woodford, Ben Harding (sub Thomas Dunford 45min), Elliott Wheeler, Jamie White (sub George Barker 64min), Justin Bennett, Daniel Wooden

Subs (not used): Lee Wort, Ryan Scott, Perry Ryan

Attendance: 534