BASINGSTOKE Town suffered a 4-0 defeat at Merthyr Town in their first away game of their Southern League Premier Division campaign.

Town boss made four changes to the starting XI for the Banbury game as David Ray, Joe Gater, Aaron Jarvis and Dan Collier all came in for George Bennett, Charlie Kennedy, George Hallahan and Ashleigh Artwell.

The home side had the better of the opening 45 minutes, and took the lead just before the break from Scott Barrow.

That is not to say the Dragons did not have any chances as Sam Deadfield forced a good save from Glyn Garner early on and Ray headed wide from a corner.

It remained 1-0 until the 76th minute, when Ian Traylor doubled the Welsh side's advantage.

Basingstoke sub Hallahan then forced a save, before Joe Gater's own goal made it 3-0 with 10 minute left.

The visitors final chance fell to Jarvis, but once again Garner was equal to and Traylor's second wrapped up the 4-0 win for the home side.

The Dragons are on the road again on Saturday with a trip to Stratford Town.