BASINGSTOKE Town manager Frank Gray has been dealt a severe blow with striker James Faulkner having his contract at the club cancelled by mutual consent.

The 20-year-old was not at the Camrose on Saturday, where some defensive howlers handed Team Bath a 3-1 win that sent Town to the bottom of the Blue Square South.

Explaining Faulkner's absence afterwards, Gray said: "James Faulkner has asked to have his contract cancelled due to work commitments. He lives in Aylesbury and the travel has been killing him. Now he has got a new job and cannot commit to training because of that."

Faulkner, a former Wycombe trainee, joined the club in the summer. He impressed during pre-season and was one of the successes of Basingstoke's poor start to the campaign, scoring three goals in the nine games he played.

"I understand why he has made this decision but it is really bad news because he has been the only one who has looked like scoring goals," Gray said. "I need to have a look and see if I can get someone else in."

The Town manager has moved quickly to replace Faulkner in the short-term, signing 18-year-old Reading attacker Mitchell Bryant on a one-month loan.

The former Manchester United youngster made his debut against Team Bath but was deprived of service and failed to have a real impact on the match.

"I felt sorry for young Mitchell in his first game," Gray said. "He showed some good touches but was feeding off nothing. There was nothing for him to get on the end of. We were never in a position where we created chances and that has got to improve."