Basingstoke Town 0, Harrow Borough 1

THE gypsy curse on the Camrose ground might have been lifted recently, but Town's blues at home continue.

Visiting Harrow must have bought some lucky heather before the match to help their chances, because they were certainly fortunate to win.

Second from bottom in the Ryman premier division, Harrow played for a point, packing men behind the ball to stifle Town's creativity.

Instead, they ended up taking all three thanks to Richard Goddard's 70th minute strike from inside the box.

The tall striker was lurking after Ricky Allaway slipped in his efforts to cut out Steve Dogbe's through ball.

Goddard was able to pick his spot from 10-yards and finished low to Scott Tarr's left.

As is the current trend at the Camrose, Town dominated the game but couldn't convert their chances.

Harrow's unorthodox goalkeeper Keita Karamoko frustrated Town - "as he always seems to do against us," said boss Ernie Howe.

He made a series of first-half saves to deny Craig McAllister and Neville Roach, keeping his side level at the interval.

But it was a brilliant one-handed stop diving full length to his right in the 80th minute to divert Barry Elmore's 25-yard effort out of the top corner and onto the bar that had the Camrose cursing.

Typically, the rebound didn't fall for a Town player and McAllister was again denied when following up.

Harrow's smash-and-grab raid extended Town's winless streak to six matches.

In a week where he has questioned his role as manager and the motivation of his players, Howe felt his side had responded to the frank, clear-the-air chat they all had on Thursday night.

He added: "I cannot fault their work-rate, and the front two looked more lively than they have for some time.

"Their keeper has done well and made some great saves - but we have lost another game and it cannot go on.

"We do need a break. We just cannot score at the moment and that's the crux of it.

"We are in a slump, but we have to keep believing that we will get over it."

Howe certainly made sure his players kept their heads up with cajoling words and encouragement as they came off the pitch and entered the dressing room.

Howe said: "It's a frustrating time, but I cannot keep slating them. The effort was there and they took the message out on the pitch, but we desperately need a win."

The loss pushed Town back to 14th place in the league. Gaining a top 13 finish is now the priority over the remaining months of the season if Town are to be part of the new Conference South set-up.

The going has got tough. Now it's time to see if the tough within the Town ranks can get going.

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, Rob Kember, Nathan Stamp, David Ray, Jason Bristow, Ricky Allaway, Barry Elmore, Ben Surey, Craig McAllister, Neville Roach, Alex Ewin (John Dyer 78 mins). Not used: Toby Sumner, Steve Hemmings, Michael Watkins, Ian Dickens.

Attendance: 272