FORMER Basingstoke Town loanee Kelvin Bossman returned to haunt his former club, scoring the winner as Hayes and Yeading United claimed a narrow victory at the Camrose on Saturday.

The ex-Reading striker made eight appearances on loan at Basingstoke in 2009, ironically scoring his only goal for the club against Hayes and Yeading.

Playing for the opposition on Saturday, Bossman came on as a substitute after 62 minutes and scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes later, blasting home from close range.

It was a classic away performance from Hayes, partnering strong defence with pace on the counter-attack to claim three points. Basingstoke enjoyed plenty of possession and played some nice stuff but were unable to create any real clear-cut chances.

Town were given early warnings as Jake Reid fired an angled shot wide and Jack Mills’ header glanced the crossbar, while, at the other end, Shaun McAuley’s shot from distance tested the Hayes goalkeeper and Dean Inman made a great challenge to deny Manny Williams.

The hosts felt they should have had a penalty approaching the half-hour mark, when Kezie Ibe seemed to be manhandled by Adam Everitt, but referee Carl Brook waved play on.

Hayes threatened on the counter again late in the half, former Basingstoke man Tom Bird testing goalkeeper Louis Wells with one angled drive and firing into the side netting with another.

The pattern continued in the second half. Town dominated possession but were unable to break the visitors down, while Hayes created the better chances.

A mistake by Basingstoke’s Jay Gasson presented Reid with a chance that he blasted over – but Bossman made no mistake soon after. Town can consider themselves unlucky, the ball falling to the striker after Adam Green had made a great block to deny Charlie Wassmer, but it had been coming.

The hosts never really looked like pulling level, failing to register a single shot on target in the remaining 18 minutes as Hayes held on comfortably.

Town manager Jason Bristow said: “All the performance lacked was a goal or two. We had opportunities but did not turn them into chances but we have to keep believing in what we are doing.”

Basingstoke Town: Wells, Rice, Green, Barrett, Gasson, Ray, Daly, Partridge, Ibe (sub Matthews 80min), Williams, McAuley. Subs (not used): Adams, Smart, Jenkinson, McDonnell.

Attendance: 351