THERE was no late Christmas present for Basingstoke Town fans as the Dragons lost 2-0 at high flying Sutton United in the National League South on Boxing Day.

Town boss Michael Gilkes made three changes to the side which drew 2-2 with St Albans the previous week.

Callum Buckley, Shaun McAuley and Harrison Gilkes all returned, as Rob Rice and Tom Bird dropped to the subs bench and Jamie Brown was rested.

The visitors matched the home side in the first 45 minutes and could have led if not for the goal frame.

Defender Dominic Hyam headed the ball into the danger zone, where it was met by Rowan Vine’s volley, but his strike came back off the crossbar and fellow striker Chris Flood headed the rebound wide.

Then on the 37 minute mark, Sutton came even closer to scoring, as Tom Bolarinwa’s cross saw Jamie Collins’ header beat Town goalie Aaron Howe, but Hyam came to rescue as he cleared the ball from under the bar.

After the interval, the home side, who included former Town striker Craig McAllister, made full use of the wind advantage with a number of chances from Collins, Ross Stearn and Craig Eastwood.

Just after the hour mark, Town made a double switch as Lloyd Macklin and Manny Williams replaced Vine and Gilkes.

Macklin with his first touch set-up McAuley, but the midfielder fired over, and at this point the game looked set to end 0-0.

However, the home side had other ideas and took the lead on the 74 minute mark.

A Collins header found Craig Dundas and his superb volley left Town goalie Howe no chance.

Sutton then made sure most of the 932 crowd went home happy, as a long clearance found its way to Bolarinwa and from 25 yards out, he let fly with a super strike to complete the 2-0 win four minutes from time.

The result moved Sutton up to second in the National League South table, but left Town nine points from safety and still rock bottom.

The Dragons have the chance for quick revenge against Sutton, as they are the visitors to the Camrose on Saturday January 2.

However, before this, Town are at home to visiting Hayes and Yeading on Monday (3pm) at the Camrose.

The London side drew 1-1 with one of Town’s relegation rivals Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.