Basingstoke Town 2, Cambridge City 1

A BRACE from in-form striker Neville Roach proved to be enough to secure three points for Basingstoke Town and lift them to third in the Conference South.

Ernie Howe's men found themselves in fifth position before this match, but Tuesday night's victory moved them up, with a game in hand over top-of-the-table Hornchurch and second-placed Grays Athletic.

This match was a thoroughly entertaining tie, but the visitors certainly had Town fans in a sweat with a 10-minute barrage on their goal at the end.

Dave Sadler, for Cambridge, and Martin Whiddett, for Basingstoke, had chances in the first 10 minutes.

Sadler's strike forced Tarr into an excellent block, while Whiddett just missed a connection with a dangerous in-swinging cross from Nathan Stamp at the other end.

Scott Tarr must have had his heart in his mouth on 15 minutes, when Carl Williams tried his luck from 25 yards.

The stranded Tarr could only watch as the ball sailed over his head, but, luckily for Town, it came back off the crossbar and was collected by Town's grateful goalkeeper.

Just nine minutes later, the visitors threatened from distance again. Josh Simpson beat Tarr's dive, but not the upright, with a superbly-struck effort.

However, Town did do enough to go in at half-time with the lead, albeit in controversial circumstances.

Neville Roach skipped into the area and rode what looked like a foul by Matt Langston, but then went down under a second challenge from Lee Chaffey.

The referee agreed with the supporters and pointed to the spot, much to the annoyance of the City directors in the stand.

Roach got up and sent Duncan Roberts the wrong way from the spot on 44 minutes.

Town dominated the second half for 35 minutes, producing some free-flowing and majestic football.

Neville Roach fired over from 20 yards on 56 minutes, following good play down the left by Stuart Tanfield and Scott Smith.

That was followed up two minutes later when Whiddett tried a cheeky flick from Jason Bristow's header, but Roberts was alert to the danger and cleared it.

A moment of madness at the back threatened Town's lead on the hour mark.

Tarr advanced from his area, only to mis-kick his clearance. But substitute Adam Smith wasted the opportunity by lobbing over the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy.

City were made to rue that miss when Roach doubled Basingstoke's lead on 65 minutes.

Sergio Torres curled in a wicked corner from the right onto Bristow's head, and his goalbound header was diverted past the 'keeper from close range by Roach.

Town continued to press forward, looking for a third, but, as the time ticked away, it was Cambridge who scored the final goal.

With 82 minutes on the clock, a loose ball, poorly cleared by Town's defence, gave Josh Simpson the chance to cross from the right. He picked out Williams, who netted from four yards out.

Howe's men were obviously rattled and had Bristow and Tarr to thank late on for Town's win.

Tomorrow, Basingstoke look to take their home form to St Albans and collect another three points.

David Ray, who missed Tuesday night's game due to illness, and injured duo Cristian Levis and Neville Stamp could be fit for the game.

Otherwise, Town will take the same squad to Hertfordshire to face a side near the foot of the Conference South.

Town boss Ernie Howe said: "I felt it was a good all-round team performance against Cambridge City. They are a good side, as their league position demonstrates.

"St Albans are not having a good season, but we have a habit of not doing well against teams that are near the bottom of the league. Let's hope we can change that."

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, Brett Cooper, Scott Smith, Jason Bristow, Liam Parrington, Jamie McClurg, Stuart Tanfield (sub Rob Chamberlain 77 mins), Sergio Torres, Martin Whiddett, Neville Roach (sub Garry Haylock 74 mins), Nathan Stamp. Subs (not used): Ricky Allaway, Mark Zawadski, Toby Sumner.