BASINGSTOKE Town slipped into the Southern League Premier South relegation zone, after they lost 3-2 to visiting Chesham United.

The home side gave a debut to new goalkeeper Tom McGill.

The 18-year-old shot stopper is on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion’s under-23 side for the rest of the season, in place of the released fans’ favourite Colm McAdden.

Town’s line-up also saw the return of injured trio, captain Charlie Kennedy, as well as strikers Sam Argent and Ben Wright.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side’s Zidane Akers, but his shot was saved in the third minute.

It was the visitors who then took the lead in the contest, thanks to a header from Eion Casey on 33 minutes.

The home side hit straight back, as Akers’ lovely ball into the box was headed in at the back post by Argent.

The visiting Generals then came close to taking the lead again, but Casey’s header was blocked on the line by Dean Stow.

Instead it was Town who went 2-1 ahead, as Argent laid the ball into the path of Ben Wright to slot home in the first minute of added on time at the end of the first half.

After the break, Wright had the first chance as he fired over.

Chesham then levelled things, as Steve Brown headed in from a corner on 56 minutes.

Then just after the hour mark, the Generals struck again as Ronny Mtinda got on the end of Adam Martin’s pass.

Any hopes the home side had of getting back in the game were dealt a bitter blow on 67 minutes, when Argent was shown a straight red card for a challenge on David Sota.

However, despite being reduced to 10 men the Dragons kept looking for an equaliser, with Stow coming the closest as his free-kick was tipped over.

Town must now pick themselves up ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Fareham for a place in the semi-final of the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Striker Aaron Redford injured in last Tuesday’s League Cup exit is hoping to be fit for the trip.

The south coast side warmed up for the clash with a 5-0 win on Saturday, in the Wessex League Premier Division at Bemerton.