King's Lynn 3, Basingstoke Town 1

LOWER-league opposition continue to jinx Basingstoke Town in national knock-out competitions.

King's Lynn dumped Ernie Howe's side out of the FA Trophy on Saturday with a committed display that drew upon their blend of experience, flair and confidence at home.

In winning, the Norfolk outfit followed in the footsteps of Ryman division one side Bracknell Town, who consigned Town to an FA Cup exit earlier this season.

Although there were goalmouth situations where Town could have equalised and earned themselves a draw, it would have been fortunate. King's Lynn, who play in the Dr Martens eastern division, were worthy winners.

Despite arriving at The Walks Stadium in plenty of time, having left the Camrose at 8am, Town were off the pace - especially in midfield - for the majority of the game.

They went 2-0 behind before Jason Bristow's 85th-minute headed goal gave hope, but it was to prove mere consolation as King's Lynn added their third four minutes later.

Manager Howe was crestfallen upon the final whistle, having seen Town fail to give an account of themselves.

He said: "I really expected more from us and am very disappointed with our performance.

"We knew we couldn't underestimate them and what we'd be up against, but they slaughtered us all over the pitch.

"We caused our own problems, and the players admitted that."

King's Lynn signalled their intent with an energetic opening 20-minute spell. Town, who lost Neville Stamp to a thigh injury just nine minutes in, were twice rescued by the bar.

First, Dave Staff's free-kick came back off the upright. Later, another set-piece to the back post was turned back in by Adam Jones, only for defender Bristow to divert it onto the bar from a few yards.

It was a period that Town weathered, however, and Neville Roach forced a smart save from Stevie Wilson on the half-hour.

The Town defence were being given a stern time with balls into the channels and over the top for King's Lynn's front duo to utilise.

One such pass from impressive captain Paul Raynor in behind Town found a well-timed run from Dale Watkins, who held off the attempts of David Ray to tackle.

Scott Tarr had come to the edge of the area to try to make it difficult for the forward, but Watkins was easily able to round him to the right and roll the ball into an empty net.

Ben Surey had a wonderful chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time after Oliver Burgess' cross was dropped by Wilson, but he fired over from 12 yards.

After the interval, Tarr made a brilliant tip away from Watkins' curling effort on 57 minutes, and the striker later went close with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area before he was substituted.

Jamie March cleared off the line from Surey after a great cut-back from McAllister, and two minutes later King's Lynn went two-up.

An incisive run from Carl Holmes through the Town midfield was only halted by a mis-timed Ricky Allaway challenge. The referee played the advantage because the ball broke to the lurking Staff. He was able to pick his spot from inside the area, finishing low to Tarr's left.

Rob Kember, Town's best midfielder, delivered a fine corner that Bristow nodded in from all of two yards.

But pacy substitute Robbie Harris had the last word for the home side when he brought a superb stop from Tarr only to net the rebound from an acute angle.

Town's remaining hope of silverware this season is the Hampshire Senior Cup, but it is the league campaign where Howe wants his team to re-double their efforts.

He said: "Any cup runs are a bonus, but we now have to get our heads down and work hard to achieve the main focus of our season - getting in the new Conference set-up."

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, Nathan Stamp, Neville Stamp (Ian Dickens nine mins; Alex Ewin 68 mins), David Ray, Jason Bristow, Ricky Allaway, Ben Surey, Rob Kember, Craig McAllister, Neville Roach, Oliver Burgess (Barry Elmore 73 mins). Not used: Dan Weait, Steve Hemmings.