BASINGSTOKE Town lost out by the odd goal in five on their first ever visit to Slough Town’s new impressive Arbour Park ground.

The match saw several re-unions, as Basingstoke boss Terry Brown had played 160 games for the Rebels scoring 54 goals. Slough had no fewer than four ex Dragons, Nathan Smart, Simon Dunn, Manny Williams and Chris Flood in their starting line up, with another Ramone Rose on the bench.

For this contest against the high flying rebels, Basingstoke made four changes to their starting line-up which won against Dunstable, with Marcus Johnson Schuster, Sam Deadfield, Dan Collier and Aaron Jarvis all returning in place of Terence Van Cooten, Michael Atkinson, Matt Partridge and Aaron Redford.

Slough gained an early initiative and forced two corners. From the second one the Rebels took the lead.

James Dobson delivered an accurate kick to the far post where an unmarked Flood hit a shot on the volley from 10 yards which gave Alex Tokarczyk in goal no chance. Basingstoke responded and on 10 minutes Ashleigh Artwell created a chance for Collier who shot directly at Rebels goalie Mark Scott.

Soon after, Slough almost increased their lead. Another corner from Dobson, driven low, saw Mark Nisbet’s flick at the near post go across the face of the goal and narrowly wide.

On 17 minutes, Nana Owusu chased a low ball into the Slough penalty area and collided with the Rebels goalkeeper Mark Scott.

Owusu immediately recovered but Mark Scott lay motionless on the ground. After several minutes, the teams were taken from the field of play, while treatment to him continued.

Eventually an ambulance arrived and the goalkeeper was taken off to hospital, where it diagnosed with broken bone in his neck.

After around 40 minutes of delay the match re-started in a subdued fashion with all thoughts from the crowd of 742 with the stricken Mark Scott.

Basingstoke had a reasonable spell and Charlie Kennedy created space to allow a shot from Sam Deadfield which went over.

On 31 minutes, the Rebels increased their lead. Good build up play on the right saw a pass to Williams and he played in Flood who shot home from 15 yards.

Slough almost added a third when an overlapping run from Sean Fraser on the right saw an accurate cross which Flood headed over. Flood was again out of luck on 44 minutes, when he combined with Williams to create a chance which brought a good save from Tokarczyk.

The second half play continued in much the same pattern with the home side playing some good attacking football.

On 50 minutes, Flood combined with Williams and the latter was unlucky to see his low shot hit the base of the post.

Two minutes later the same players combined to set Williams with a free run in on goal. The striker dribbled around Tokarczyk and shot from a difficult angle.

A back tracking Joe Gater did well to get the ball off the line for a corner.

The flag kick found Williams at the back post. He set up Mark Nisbet who shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

On 54 minutes, Basingstoke’s lively sub Aaron Redford made good progress down the left wing.

He passed to Owusu who was hauled down on the edge of the penalty box. Owusu took the free-kick and beat the wall.

The ball was blocked by the Rebels makeshift goalie Gurkan Gokmen, but Redford followed up to score from close range.

Three minutes later, Dobson created a chance for himself but his effort went just past the post.

Slough continued to be on top and Williams set up Dunn who saw his effort well saved by Tokarczyk.

Just after the hour mark, a slick Rebels move saw Williams set up Dobson who from 20 yards curled his shot just past the post.

On 75 minutes Slough made it 3-1. A fluent move through the middle presented Dobson with a chance and his effort brought a good save from Tokarczyk who pushed the ball out to the left.

The Rebels quickly regained possession and another pass to Dobson saw a side footed shot into the net from 18 yards.

With 10 minutes remaining Basingstoke again reduced the arrears. A good run down the right from Marcus Johnson-Schuster saw a long pass played across the Slough box to Redford, who fired in from 20 yards out.

It was the Rebels who had the last effort on goal when link up play between Williams and Warren Harris saw his effort well blocked.

The last action of the match saw Basingstoke awarded a free-kick on the left.

Owusu sent the ball too high and wide, reprieving a relieved Gokmen from trying to make a save.

The Dragons will hope to roar back to winning ways on Tuesday night (7.45pm) when they entertain Winchester City in Hampshire Senior Cup semi-final.