Eastbourne Borough 2, Basingstoke Town 0

ON AN afternoon where a strong, swirling coastal wind turned this game into a real-life version of blow football, Eastbourne had that bit more puff.

Town's inaugural visit to Priory Lane was disappointing and defeat extended their losing streak to three consecutive matches.

They never mastered the difficult conditions - which boss Ernie Howe felt were the real winner - kicking into the elements in a batten-down-the-hatches first half where they struggled to keep possession and deal with Eastbourne's telling crosses.

The home side utilised their favourable advantage by scoring in the 25th minute.

A 30-yard cross from Matt Crabb, aided by the wind, sailed to the back post where midfielder Matt Smart beat Scott Smith and headed back down into the danger area.

Striker Scott Ramsay and David Ray both went for it, but the Town teenager unfortunately poked home from close range.

Goalkeeper Scott Tarr was Town's best performer, making a trio of top-draw saves, the first coming two minutes later.

Jamie McClurg lost the ball in midfield and Ramsay hit it early from 30-yards out. Tarr dived to his right as the ball changed direction in flight, and made the stop at full length.

For all their possession, though, Eastbourne failed to extend their lead by the break.

Howe said: "I wasn't too concerned about being 1-0 down because we knew we would be playing with the wind in the second half. Their only threat was coming from corners and set-pieces.

"But their second goal was a killer because it came just as we were enjoying a bit of momentum and I thought we were going to nick something from the game."

A controversial piece of officiating caused massive anger for Howe, assistant manager Pete Peters and the Town bench.

The nearside linesman, five metres off the pace, failed to see that three Eastbourne players were offside.

With the halted Town defence aghast at the lack of a flag, Crabb had a free run in and he fired around Tarr, out on the edge of his area, from 20-yards.

Fuming Town players and directors were agog at the decision and remonstrated with the official, but in vain.

The 85th minute goal sealed the match, but the overall display highlighted the knock in confidence Town have suffered recently.

Cristian Levis had an off-day and reacted with angst and dismay when he was substituted.

He walked straight past Howe and was set to make his way to the dressing room, but a strong arm directed him back to the dug-out bench.

It wasn't until Sergio Torres was moved to his customary midfield role and Howe made three substitutions and switched to an attacking 3-5-2 formation that Town looked more at ease.

One strong run and cross from the Argentinian almost yielded a goal for Martin Whiddett, but the ball narrowly flashed past the top-right stantion.

As the Town troops trudged off the field, the classic song I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside was belted out over the tannoy. Not on this occasion.

Reflecting on the challenge ahead, Howe said: "The bubble's burst now and we have to start working hard. We've got to get our shape back and, like last week in the FA Cup, this game has shown us where we are lacking.

"But I'm looking to bring some new faces in this week and then we can start building again."

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, Brett Cooper (Stuart Tanfield 75 mins), Liam Parrington, Jason Bristow, Scott Smith, David Ray, Cristian Levis (Nathan Stamp 70 mins), Sergio Torres, Martin Whiddett (Gary Haylock 77 mins), Neville Roach, Jamie McClurg. Not used: Mark Zawadski, Neville Stamp.