BASINGSTOKE Town lost by the odd goal in seven at Maidenhead United, as former Town player David Tarpey helped himself to a hat-trick.

Town boss Jason Bristow picked the same starting XI for the third game running, as his side looked to build on their last two home wins over Torquay 3-0 and Whitehawk 3-1.

The Dragons managed to score three times again, but this time Maidenhead scored four with the winner coming seven minutes from time.

This was after the visitors struck first from Shaun McAuley after 15 minutes with a shot from the edge of the area.

The Magpies flying high in the National League South hit back as David Tarpey equalised.

The home side then took the lead after their captain Alan Massey hammered home Tarpey’s free-kick.

Harry Pritchard so nearly made it 3-1, but just failed to get a touch on Tarpey’s cross.

However, the Dragons roared back as a nice move saw Louie Soares fire into the bottom of the net to make it all square at half-time.

Just 10 minutes after the break, Tarpey netted his second of the game and the home side had more changes, but failed to increase their lead.

The visitors always looked dangerous on the break, and they made it 3-3 when captain David Ray was left unmarked in the penalty area and headed in Soares’ corner.

Town then so nearly grabbed a winner, but striker Liam Enver-Marum was denied by the legs of Maidenhead goalie Carl Pentney.

It was left to the home side to score the winner with seven minutes left as Tarpey converted Prichard’s excellent cross for the winner.

The high scoring loss saw Town slip back to the bottom of the table.

They now take a break from league action with a trip to Cambridge United on Saturday in the FA Cup first round.

Cambridge lost their final league match, before meeting the Dragons 2-1 at home to Bristol Rovers on Friday evening.