Basingstoke Town 1, Lewes 4

A DEEP depression touched the souls of all with an affinity for Basingstoke Town after Wednesday's defeat ensured the club missed out on a place in the new Conference South league.

Town were in the play-offs after failing to finish in the second to 13th places in the Ryman premier division that guaranteed an automatic place in the restructured non-League football set-up.

Manager Ernie Howe made four changes to the line-up that lost 5-0 to Sutton on Saturday.

The play-off semi-final clash looked bright when Craig McAllister bundled through two defenders and the goalie to score from three yards in the 26th minute.

Either side of McAllister's 27th goal of the season, Neville Roach had two legitimate penalty appeals turned down, but referee Searle seemed determined not to give anything Town's way.

And, just when it looked like Howe's side would enter half-time ahead, disaster struck in injury time when Danny Davis met Dwain Clarke's left wing cross and poked past Scott Tarr from close range.

It changed the entire complexion of the game.

Town's dominance was replaced by craziness as Ryman division one south champions Lewes scored twice in the opening five second-half minutes.

Defensive frailties returned. Attempting to clear a 46th minute throw-in, Jason Bristow's header looped up inside the box.

Mark Paterson then mis-timed his jump and Lee Newman collected eight yards out at a tight angle, turned sharply and fired past Tarr.

Peter Adeniyi added a third for Lewes in the 50th minute after playing a one-two with Newman. His curling left-foot shot came from inside the area as Town were sliced open.

Shell-shocked, it was game over for Town, despite the best efforts of Howe to freshen things up with substitutions and playing Bristow as a striker.

As they pushed forward, gaps were exposed and a Lewes breakaway led to Davis being sent clear. Tarr came out and kicked but his clearance ricocheted off Davis and into the net as David Ray chased back in vain.

A minute later, the already-booked Roach was dismissed, his frustration obvious after being kicked all over the park.

When the final whistle eventually came, it stopped the torture the Camrose faithful were experiencing.

Basingstoke Town vice-chairman Steve Murfitt said: "It's a big disappointment. We were the best team for the first 45 minutes, but the season's over now and we have to look forward to next season."

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, David Ray, Neville Stamp, Nathan Stamp (Cristian Levis 62min), Jason Bristow, Mark Paterson, Alex Ewin, Stephen Hughes (German De La Vega 76min), Craig McAllister, Neville Roach, Sergio Torres. Not used: Steve Hemmings, Mark Zawadski, Ian Dickens.

Tomorrow, Basingstoke Town Reserves have the chance to put a smile on faces by winning the Suburban League Challenge Shield final. They take on Met Police at Imber Court (3pm), after the match was switched from the Camrose because of the senior team's expected involvement in the Conference South play-off final.