Hayes 2, Basingstoke Town 1

BASINGSTOKE produced a good team performance but still left Church Road on Tuesday night with nothing to show for their efforts.

In a good game of many chances, Town scored first after 15 minutes.

New boy Matt Warner crossed from 22 yards out on the left and it was flicked home via a defender's leg. Although the players and the PA announcer credited Warner with the strike, it will surely go down as an own goal.

Hayes had appeals for a penalty turned down on 27 minutes. Lee Holsgrove played Kevin Warner through into the Town area and he fell under the challenge of Scott Tarr.

On 37 minutes, Town striker Craig McAllister had an effort, ruled out by the referee. Yiadom Yeboah had attempted to clear upfield but Ben Surey headed back. Neville Roach wasted no time in slipping McAllister in down the left and the striker finished well but was adjudged to have leaned on his marker Kevin Cleary.

Town again showed they are vulnerable in the final five minutes of the first half, conceding an equaliser as they had against Kettering on Saturday.

A partially cleared free-kick by Town allowed Jon Case in down the right and his low drive from the by-line was side-footed home by Holsgrove from close range.

The second period started with Town defender Jason Bristow clearing off the line from Scott Forrester.

Town's response was almost immediate as a thumped cross from the back fell to McAllister in the area but the top goal-scorer of last term took too long on the ball.

After his first attempt was blocked, he did, however, manage to tee up strike partner Neville Roach. The ex-Reading front man followed in but his lob was well claimed by the back-pedalling Jake Cole.

On 57 minutes, Hayes captain Mark Molesley shot wide after an excellent solo run and, at the other end, Roach hit the post from inside the 18-yard area.

A point would have probably been a fair reflection from this game but Town conceded the winner on 79 minutes.

Warner's corner from the left was bundled home by Holsgrove from close range through a crowd of players in the six-yard area.

Town manager Ernie Howe said: "The result was disappointing as I consider we had a perfectly good goal disallowed. However, we are still leaking, which is one thing we have to stop."

Hayes: Cole, Case, Everitt, Bixby, Yeboah, Cleary, Holsgrove (sub Williams 68min), Molesley, Holsgrove, Forrester (sub Scott 68min), Warner. Subs (not used): Goddall, Hastings, Collins.

Basingstoke: Tarr, Surey, Allaway (sub Neville Stamp 69min), Hemmings, Bristow, Ray, Nathan Stamp (sub Ewin 71min), Elad, McAllister, Roach, Warner. Subs (not used): Dyer, Watkins, Dickens.