CREST-FALLEN Ernie Howe is considering his future as manager of Basingstoke Town after the club failed in their bid to reach the new Conference South league.

Wednesday's miserable 4-1 defeat to Ryman division one South champions Lewes devastated long-serving boss Howe, who stormed away from the Camrose shortly after the final whistle.

The play-off semi-final loss ensured Town missed out on their season's objective - gaining a place in the upper echelon of the restructured non-league football set-up.

And it has pained Howe to the extent he is seriously contemplating ending his tenure after a difficult campaign in charge for him and assistant manager Pete Peters.

A crushed Howe (pictured above) told The Gazette: "The disappointment to Pete and myself is massive, with a real sense of failure.

"It is a bitter pill to swallow at this moment in time and I will not look for any excuses. I will not use lack of money as a reason why we did not achieve our season's goal.

"I still believe that we had enough to get us in the top half of the Ryman league, but at the end of the day results do not lie and that is where it has to be judged.

"I am just so very disappointed. It has raised many questions which will need to be answered, but now is not the right time to speak with emotions so high."

Faced with the prospect of Howe's possible departure, dejected Basingstoke Town goalkeeper and captain Scott Tarr said: "Ernie is very, very disappointed and, as a proud man, will consider he has failed the club.

"He's had a lot of off-the-pitch problems to sort out - which I personally don't think a football manager should have to deal with - but Ernie, Pete and Rico (coach Steve Richardson) have only ever brought good things to the club.

"I don't know what Ernie is going to decide to do, but if after taking stock he decides he wants to stay, then I hope that he keeps me with him.

"If there are decisions made and people leave the club, then all of our futures are in the balance."

Howe cut a forlorn figure as he watched his side surrender the 26th- minute lead secured by Craig McAllister's goal - probably his last for the club now he's a free agent.

Dominance was replaced by craziness as the defensive frailties that have dogged Town's season returned with a vengeance.

In a five-minute spell either side of half-time, Lewes equalised in injury time and added two more quick goals after the break.

It left Town shell-shocked and the Camrose faithful utterly depressed. Lewes' fourth came seven minutes from time. Their celebrations contrasted sharply with the gloom of the Town ranks.

Howe's post-match mood was reflected in a few players as they departed - none more so than Tarr.

He said: "We can't blame tonight's game, or Saturday's performance. As a club, over the whole season, we haven't done enough.

"The boys were motivated and for 40 minutes gave all we had but, from a defensive point of view, five minutes' madness has cost us.

"It's gutting for all of us. I'm just low now and it's going to make the end of season presentation evening on Saturday a very sombre affair."