BASINGSTOKE Town were knocked out of the Southern League Cup after they suffered a 3-0 defeat at Premier Division rivals Hayes and Yeading.

Both sides put out strong line-ups for the game with Hayes making two changes to the side which drew 0-0 at Cambridge City.

Meanwhile for the Dragons goalkeeper Kieran Greene, Mark Hastings and Aaron Redford all came in with goalie Alex Tokarczyk dropping to the subs bench with Marcus Johnson-Schuster and David Ray rested.

This gave the visitors a new look defence with Michael Atkinson slotting into the right back position where he did well. Joe Gater and Hastings were in the centre and George Bennett on the left flank.

This meant skipper on the night Matt Partridge played in midfield, with Aaron Jarvis and Redford the front men.

The sides exchanged early chances and then from a Town corner Gater headed just wide.

Jarvis was then denied by home goalie Danny Boness and he produced an even better save to deny Hastings from Deadfield's free-kick.

Hayes made the most of the missed chances and took the lead four minutes before the break, as Mitchell Weiss scored the first of a hat-trick The home side doubled their advantage just eight minutes into the second half, as Weiss struck again with a top corner finish.

Town introduced midfielders Ashleigh Antwell and Dan Collier both back from injury.

Artwell so nearly got on the end of Nana Owusu cross and after the hour mark a Partridge cross was headed over by Gater.

Hayes made the tie safe on 71 minutes, as Weiss reacted first to a rebound and completed his hat-trick.

Town continued to look for a goal, but it was not to be and at the final whistle they were beaten 3-0.

On Saturday, they return to league action with a trip to Cambridge City and then on Tuesday night the Dragons will hope to make the last four of the Hampshire Senior Cup, when they face AFC Stoneham at the Ark Cancer Charity Stadium.