BASINGSTOKE Town ended 2015 on a high as they recorded only their second home league win of the season, after they enjoyed a 1-0 victory over visiting Hayes and Yeading.

Midfielder Manny Williams was the home side’s hero with a goal early in the second half and it was sweet revenge for Town for a 3-0 loss to Hayes and Yeading earlier in the season.

Basingstoke manager Michael Gilkes made five changes to the side which lost at Sutton United on Boxing Day.

Into the starting line-up came Tom Bird, Jamie Brown, Glen Southam, Liam Enver-Marum and Manny Williams.

Town so nearly got off to a dream start, as in the first minute Aaron Howe’s long clearance was flicked on by Williams to Enver-Marum and only a great stop by visiting goalkeeper Dan Lincoln denied him.

Soon after, Hayes had their first chance as Matt Jay tested Howe.

Town had started well and Enver-Marum was fouled on the edge of the area by Manny Monthe and from the free-kick Bird’s effort just hit the edge of the wall as it went inches wide of the upright.

The home side continued to have the better of the opening 45 minutes with Williams and Southam had chances, but the score remained 0-0.

It took Town just three minutes after the re-start to take the lead, as Southam sent in a great cross from the right, which was headed back by Chris Flood into the path of Williams to slot home.

Elliott Simpson with a shot from the edge of the area forced Howe into a save and then Flood headed just wide from a nice cross from Bird.

Flood, then came as close as anyone, to scoring a second goal for the home side, as his shot was pushed onto the post by Hayes shot stopper Lincoln and the rebound came straight back to the goalie so he was able to gather the ball.

A second goal would have killed the game, but Hayes never gave-up and made changes adding a third striker as they looked for an equaliser.

Town then made their first change with Rowan Vine coming on for Williams and almost immediately he won a free-kick just outside the penalty area.

Bird sent the free-kick which was met by Flood, but his effort was blocked and the rebound fell to Gasson who fired just wide.

Into the closing stages of the game Town defended really well.

Hayes’ final chance came deep into added on time and saw Jay flash a shot across the face of the Town goal, but no one was there to convert it.

The victory and three points was a great boost to the Dragons quest to avoid relegation.

After the game, Town boss Gilkes said: “I am pleased for everyone with the result. I looked at their squad and realised they would be nearly the same for both games on Saturday and Monday, so I made five changes which I felt did weaken the side and would give us the edge on the energy levels.”

The manager is now looking forward to Town’s next game against Sutton on Saturday, which is exactly a week since the side’s last met and the Dragons lost 2-0.

Gilkes said: “We did well there and were undone by two well taken goals. They will not have changed since we last saw them, so we know what they are about and I am really looking forward to the game.”

Town will be hoping to make it two league wins on the trot against a side third in the National League South table.

Basingstoke Town: Howe, Smart, Bird, Brown, Gasson, Hyam, McAuley (Soares 86mins), Southam, Enver-Marum, Flood, Williams (sub Vine 73mins). Subs (not used): Gilkes, Harper and Rice.