ALPHABETICAL order is the only thing keeping Basingstoke Town off the bottom of National League South after suffering a second heavy defeat in the space of three days.

It was the same old story for Jason Bristow's men at Clarence Park last night. They dominated possession and passed the ball reasonably well, but most of their play was in front of the home defence and when they did create chances, they failed to take them.

St Albans rarely threatened, but when they did, they were able to get at a shaky Basingstoke back line far too easily, scoring three sloppy goals from a defensive point of view.

Both sides were struggling going into the game. Town were second-bottom, looking for their first win of the season at the 10th attempt. St Albans were just one point and two places above them, having won just once all season and having made the long trip to Truro City, where they lost 2-0, just 48 hours earlier.

It was a real chance for Basingstoke to snap their winless streak, but instead their current deficiencies were laid bare, with the three-goal margin of defeat leaving them level on points, goal difference and goals scored with bottom-of-the-table Weston-super-Mare.

Fortunately for Town, one area they cannot be beaten in is alphabetical order, but that is the only reason that they are not bottom of the pile.

The bad news is that Weston have played two games less. Should they avoid defeat at home to Truro tonight, they will leapfrog Bristow's men.

The Town boss reacted to Saturday's humbling 5-1 defeat at the hands of Eastbourne Borough by making two changes. Liam Enver-Marum, who had missed that game due to the birth of his daughter, returned to the front line in place of Sam Akinde, while Manny Williams replaced Robbie Rice as the visitors switched to a midfield diamond.

There was nothing between the sides in the early stages, but it was St Albans who scored the crucial opening goal of the game with just 13 minutes on the clock.

Town were on the attack, but Williams' attempted back-heel conceded possession just inside the St Albans half and the hosts broke quickly.

The Basingstoke midfield were unable to provide much in the way of protection as the move progressed and Lewis Hilliard was allowed to slip the ball through to Louie Theophanous on the left side of the area. With the angle against him, there should have been little danger, but David Ray allowed him time to get a shot away and Aaron Howe was beaten at his near post.

Nathan Smart's shot from distance almost caused problems as it deflected off Lee Chappell, but the ball dribbled wide.

St Albans nearly doubled the lead on 23 minutes, but Ben Martin was only able to head Chappell's cross weakly into the arms of Howe.

Town were forced to make a change just before the half-hour, when the injury-prone Simon Dunn was forced off. Harrison Gilkes replaced him, with Town switching to a 4-4-2 formation, and the substitute almost had an immediate impact, but he could not make proper contact with Tom Bird's cross.

St Albans had another chance to add to their lead soon after. Nobody tracked the run of Kevin Krans and his low effort from 25 yards forced a smart save out of Howe.

However, Town really should have levelled a minute later. Ray got up to meet Bird's corner, but was only able to head wide under pressure.

Enver-Marum then created a chance for himself, picking the ball up on the right and nutmegging a defender before firing an angled drive that Joe Welch had to save with his legs.

Town continued to press as the half drew to a close, but most of their efforts were from long range. Gilkes had two shots blocked and Williams fired wide, but the biggest chance fell to Ray just before half-time.

Another Bird cross caused problems, finding Chris Flood at the back post. He was unable to react in time to get a shot away, but the ball dropped kindly for Ray. Again, the finish wasn't good enough, the centre-back's poke at goal rolling tamely through to Welch.

Town continued to dominate possession after the break, but their lack of confidence was clear to see when they reached the final third.

They failed to create anything in the way of chances and St Albans doubled their lead with their first attack of the second half on 56 minutes.

Town failed to clear an over-hit corner and the ball was knocked back across the area for Hilliard. Louie Soares tried to close down, but was unable to make the block and Hilliard's excellent curling shot beat Howe before nestling in the far corner.

Soares put a free-kick straight down the throat of Welch as Town looked to respond, but the hosts put the result beyond doubt with 62 minutes.

The visitors conceded possession as they looked to attack and with Town having committed men forward, Ghassimu Sow led a counter-attack. He exchanged passes with Krans before galloping into the area and back-heeling the ball to Theophanous, who had the simple task of slotting home from 10 yards.

The game was over and there was little in the way of goalmouth action in the closing stages.

Flood had a couple of half-chances, but he was unable to make proper contact with a header, while a volley from an acute angle went well wide.

Krans had an opportunity to send Town bottom by adding a fourth, but his effort from distance was straight down the throat of Howe.

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

PLAYER RATINGS

Aaron Howe - 5 (out of 10)
Didn't have a whole lot to do, apart from pick the ball out of the net, but beaten at his near post for the opening goal.

Nathan Smart - 6
Worked hard, but got caught out of position a couple of times.

Tom Bird - 7 - Gazette Star Man
Pretty solid defensively and definitely Town's most likely supplier of a goal. Excellent delivery from corners.

James Harper - 5
Failed to protect the back four and gave possession away too often.

Jay Gasson - 5
Too keen to get forward at times. Caught horribly out of position for the third goal.

David Ray - 5
Failed to get close enough to Theophanous for the first goal. Left horribly exposed for the third.

Louie Soares - 5
Lacked tempo in his play and struggled to create opportunities. Terrible delivery from corners.

Simon Dunn - 6
A couple of good touches before he was forced off with another injury problem.

Liam Enver-Marum - 6
Town's best player for the first hour. Worked hard and caused problems. Allowed his head to drop when the second goal went in.

Chris Flood - 6
Very few opportunities to show what he could do.

Manny Williams - 5
Very little impact on the game and guilty of giving the ball away in the build-up to the first goal.

SUBSTITUTES

Harrison Gilkes (for Dunn 29min) - 6
Willing to take on defenders, but unable to have a meaningful impact.

Lloyd Macklin (for Williams 67min) - 6
Very few touches after his introduction.

Subs (not used): Robbie Rice, Sam Akinde, Shaun McAuley

St Albans City: Joe Welch, Ghassimu Sow, Lee Chappell, David Longe-King, Ben Martin, Darren Locke, Kevin Krans, James Comley, Louie Theophanous (sub Jordy Ndjeka 81min), Lewis Hilliard, Jack Green

Subs (not used): Simon Thomas, John Kyriacou, Andy Nikolaou, Tom Coulton

Attendance: 315