BASINGSTOKE Town’s hopes of avoiding relegation from National League South suffered another set-back as they were beaten 2-0 at home to Concord Rangers.

New Town boss Terry Brown made two changes to the side which won the week before against Oxford City, as Dan Lincoln replaced Aaron Howe in goal and Lloyd Macklin came in for Reece Connolly.

The visitors had the first chance of the game as Tom Bird cleared off the line and then Chris Flood forced a good save from Concord’s Ben McNamara.

The home side continued to have the better of the opening 45 minutes and Jack Deaman went close to breaking the deadlock as he headed over.

Concord, who beat Town 5-0 earlier in the season, then opened the scoring after 40 minutes, as Joao Carlos was able to fire under Dan Lincoln.

Then on the stroke of half-time the Beach Boys Lewis Taaffe saw his header hit the bar and then Jay Gasson cleared off the line.

The visitors doubled their advantage nine minutes into the second half, as Ben Greenhalgh chipped the ball over Lincoln, after being found by Jay Dowie.

Flood so nearly got the Dragons back into the game as his back post header hit the bar and the same striker then had another chance blocked.

Concord’s Steve Cawley then fired just wide, before home sub Manny Williams saw his curling effort just go the wrong side of the post.

The Dragons continued to create chances with Gasson, Flood and Liam Enver-Marum denied in the closing stages.

Town’s latest defeat leaves them 11 points from safety, with just six games left to play.

Their next two matches are must win encounters against relegation rivals Weston-super-Mare.

The Dragons travel to Somerset on Tuesday night, and then face the return game at the Camrose on Saturday.