BASINGSTOKE Town Ladies were unable to move up to second in the Southern League Premier Division, going down to a 4-1 defeat away at Oxford City Ladies on Sunday.

Town went into the game knowing that they would move above their hosts with a win – and they took the lead after 17 minutes, Lindsey Beverley scoring direct from a free-kick.

Basingstoke goalkeeper Erin Davis had already pulled off one outstanding save by that point and Town continued to ride their luck, with Davis making another great stop and the hosts hitting the crossbar.

However, two goals in the space of three minutes saw Oxford lead at the break. They extended their lead early in the second half and put the game beyond doubt with 10 minutes to go.

Town almost made it 4-2, but Josette Pearmine’s effort was pushed onto the crossbar by the home goalkeeper.

The result saw Basingstoke drop a place to fourth in the table. They host eighth-placed Fleetlands this Sunday.

The reserves beat Sandhurst Ladies 3-1 in a friendly thanks to an own goal and strikes from Becky Lee and Danielle Chubb. They host Bournemouth Sports Ladies in a Hampshire League Junior Cup semi-final on Sunday.