After missing their first opportunity to guarantee a playoff place on Monday night, Basingstoke Town made no mistake at the second time of asking with a comfortable 2-0 victory at second-bottom Chalfont St. Peter. ‘Stoke entered the day sat in the final playoff position, a point ahead of their nearest challengers Uxbridge and any nerves were eased as Uxbridge fell behind inside two minutes in their match and were two down by half-time.

Basingstoke started as if determined to render the Uxbridge result academic and did everything but score during a dominant first half performance.

Home keeper Ali Ozcelik performed impressively on his debut, twice producing fine saves to prevent Town going in front through Conor Lynch, who was also denied the opener by a raised offside flag.

Ben Cook looked sure to open the scoring late in the half but a miraculous goalmouth block from Fred Hernandez kept the game scoreless at the break.

It didn’t take too much longer for Basingstoke to break through. Skipper Simon Dunn who received Stefan Brown’s pass inside the box, produced an accurate finish on 52 minutes. For the second away match in a row, ‘Stoke did a great job of shutting the game down and Chalfont were unable to work Paul Strudley in the Town net.

Substitute Marcio Neves did test Ozcelik after coming off the bench and it looked like not being Lynch’s day as the striker sent two further efforts off target. Lynch has hit on a run of form at just the right time though and in stoppage time was presented with a chance to finish the game.

Seizing upon a short back pass, his first effort was saved but with the second he lifted the ball into the roof of the net for his seventh goal in six games. The victory secured a fifth place finish for Basingstoke and the opportunity to play for promotion through the playoffs.

Basingstoke will play Chertsey Town in play-off semi-final at 7.45pm on Wednesday, April 27.