BASINGSTOKE Town manager Jason Bristow felt his side turned in their best performance of the season so far, but it was all in vain as league leaders Weymouth won at the Camrose 2-1.

The Dragons boss stuck with the same XI which had won the previous week, with the only change being on the bench which included new forward signing from Reading City Mitchell Parker.

The home side started brightly and after four minutes, Ben Wright’s cross in the box saw Sam Argent somehow put the ball over from close range.

Weymouth replied as leading scorer Brandon Goodship was released by Ben Thomson, but Colm McAdden made a great save.

On nine minutes, a lovely ball from Sam Deadfield released Argent and only the leg of Weymouth Jordan Seabright denied him the opener.

The home side then deservedly took the lead after 22 minutes, as Sam Smart forced his way to the byline and his cross was converted by Sam Argent from close range.

The home side continued to boss the game and Jack McKnight’s cross saw Dean Stow glance a shot off the upright.

Soon after, Smart fired over and just when it looked like Town would take a 1-0 lead to the dressing room.

Weymouth’s Goodship sailed forward and unleashed a great shot from 25-yards out which dipped under the bar to make it 1-1 with a minute left before the break.

After the interval, Town again looked the better side and Wright saw his free-kick from distance pushed out and then Smart with delightful curling effort with left foot went just wide.

McKnight then tried his luck, but his shot was pushed wide.

A rare Weymouth chance saw Goodship with a free header just miss the target.

A couple more chances forced both Stephane Zubar and Calvin Brooks to head out of the danger area.

Then with 76 minutes gone, the visitors produced a sucker punch as Goodship this time was the provider for Thomson to score.

Town tried to hit back with Smart going just wide and Argent flashed the ball across the face of the goal.

Two minutes later, Smart was fouled just on the edge of the area on the left hand side and McKnight curled the dead ball just wide of the far upright.

Then in the second minute of added on time, Town’s Rob Gerrard found his former Reading City team mate sub Parker, but the new boy was unable to keep his volley down and it went over the bar.

After the game, an upbeat Town boss Bristow said: “This has to be our best performance of the season and I think it is harsh we have not got anything from the game. We have out played the top side in this league, but they have a way of winning games and have done that again today.”

Next for Town is a home FA Trophy clash on Saturday, when Enfield Town will be the visitors.