Basingstoke Town 0, Eastbourne Borough 2

BASINGSTOKE Town continued their poor run in 2005 as they lost to play-off rivals Eastbourne at the Camrose on Saturday.

The home side gave a debut to goalkeeper Andrew Little, signed on loan from Crawley for a month as regular number one Scott Tarr was suspended and Mark Zawadski injured.

The new 'keeper was soon into the action as he saved a fierce shot from Yemi Odubade in only the second minute.

The home side replied when midfielder David Ray crashed the ball off the crossbar soon after.

Some good play from Eastbourne's Scott Ramsay and Loui Fazakerly needed a great last-ditch tackle from skipper Jason Bristow to deny them.

Little was called upon once to make a good save to deny Odubade an opening goal for the visitors.

On 34 minutes, the south-coast side did take the lead when a 40-yard free-kick from Ollie Rowland was half-caught by Little before the ball dropped into his net.

At the other end, it was visiting' goalkeeper Lee Hook's turn to fumble as Sergio Torres' cross went just wide of the post.

Just six minutes after the restart, Rowland doubled the lead when he spotted Little off his line and lobbed him from 30 yards out.

After that, the home side had chances as Brett Cooper and Ray both went close and German De La Vega's ball across the six-yard area was not touched home.

Just after the hour, Neville Stamp headed off the line from Stuart Tuck and, from the resulting corner-kick, Little made an excellent save to keep out Fazakerly's bullet header.

After another frustrating afternoon, Town manager Ernie Howe said: "We were just not good enough again, but we have being saying that a lot lately."

Talking about new goalkeeper Little, the Town boss said: "He has started brightly, but has made a mistake which has proved to be critical in the end."

Basingstoke Town: Andrew Little, Brett Cooper, Neville Stamp (sub Ian Oliver 70min), Jason Bristow, Scott Smith, Ricky Allaway, David Ray, Sergio Torres, Martin Whiddett, Neville Roach (sub Ryan Stephens 80 min), German De La Vega (sub Cristian Levis 70 min). Subs (not used): Nathan Stamp, Liam Castle.