Havant 2, Basingstoke Town 1

BASINGSTOKE Town's interest in the Nationwide Conference league cup ended at the first-round stage after they went down to a narrow defeat on the south coast.

Ernie Howe's side got off to the best possible start on Monday night when Gary Haylock opened his senior team account in the sixth minute.

The Irishman had previously squandered a great chance, blasting over from 15-yards in an opportunity Howe felt the striker should have done better with.

But he scored via a deflection - following Martin Whiddett's square ball after he capitalised on a defensive slip - to put Town ahead. Within six minutes, however, Town were trailing.

First, James Taylor equalised on eight minutes, after Neil Champion's corner deflected off Sergio Torres onto the bar and came back down for the centre-forward to stab home from close range.

Then, on 12 minutes, Town's defence went missing and poor marking from a free-kick allowed Sam Pearce to play a low ball across the box for Taylor to net his second all too easily.

Cristian Levis had a free-headed chance to equalise, but put Torres' cross wide.

As half-time approached, a goal-mouth scramble ensued after Scott Tarr failed to collect a cross. Jason Chewins had an effort cleared off the line, as did Michael Gordon after the rebound fell to him.

Howe said: "After being in front so early, all of a sudden we were losing. We gave them far too much room and gave the ball away.

"For their second goal we just stood like statues, and it was disappointing to concede a goal like that."

He added: "At the end of the day though, there wasn't much in the game. I thought in the second half we did enough to have got an equaliser and take it to extra-time."

Howe was forced into changes because of injuries to Jason Bristow and Neville Roach, replaced by Ricky Allaway and Haylock respectively, while he rested David Ray and Brett Cooper, giving starts to Liam Parrington and Jamie McClurg.

But he felt the close nature of the game showed that the defeat wasn't down to an altered line-up.

Town's chances in the second period fell to Levis - with a shot that had 'keeper Gareth Howells scrambling to only just save, and one he tipped round the post - Parrington and Whiddett.

It was an 81st minute attack that yielded the possible best. Levis squared to substitute Ryan Stephens, whose low delivery was missed by a matter of inches by Whiddett.

Town: Scott Tarr, Liam Parington, Neville Stamp, Ricky Allaway, Scott Smith, Jamie McClurg, Sergio Torres, Cristian Levis, Martin Whiddett, Gary Haylock (Ryan Stephens 78 mins), Nathan Stamp (David Ray 65 mins). Not used: Toby Sumner, Brett Cooper, Liam Castle.