BASINGSTOKE Town warmed up in the best possible way for Tuesday’s night clash with Saints by winning 4-2 at Wimborne.

In fact, it was their first away victory in five road trips, the last by coincidence was also in Dorset at Weymouth. The visiting Dragons welcomed back Tom McGill in goal and forward Yvan Jourdan was given his first Town start in place of Zidane Akers, who has gone out on loan to Thatcham.

The home side took the lead after 25 minutes, thanks to Franklyn Clarke’s 20-yard strike, after an excellent move involving Bull Maybury and Luke Burbidge.

However, right on the stroke of half-time new signing Jourdan equalised after a deep free-kick was pumped into the Wimborne area.

After the interval, the visitors had much the better of the game.

They took the lead on 50 minutes from striker Ben Wright.

The home side had a great chance to equalise, but Toby Holmes’ header went just wide on 69 minutes.

Within in a minute, Town had made it 3-1 after an own goal from captain Billy Maybury.

Town sub Sam Argent with a superb overhead kick from a Sam Smart cross added the icing on the cake with a fourth goal for the visitors three minutes later.

The home side did pull a goal back with nine minutes to play from Toby Holmes, but it was all a little too late.

The victory moved Town up to 16th in the table and they are now five points clear of the drop zone.

Next for Town is the Hampshire Senior Cup semi-final against Southampton under-23s on Tuesday night.