Heybridge Swifts 5 Basingstoke Town 1

MANAGER Ernie Howe was furious as one of his most experienced players, Paul Wilkinson, talked himself into a red card before 10-men Town crashed to defeat at Heybridge, writes John Gray.

The incident in the first half saw Chris Honor booked after debating the positioning of a Basingstoke free-kick. Wilkinson then became involved, earning a straight red.

Howe said: "I don't expect that from two of my most experienced players and that probably cost us the game. At the time I felt we were in the game, even if we were a goal down. Once again we had as many chances as them but failed to convert them."

The only positive to come out of the afternoon was the performance of first team debutant Steve Hemmings and also that of Danny Layton, who came on with a quarter of an hour left.

Town's first attack came on 25 minutes as Stuart Girdler's pass sent Sean Gorman in on goal but he was denied by the legs of Heybridge stalwart goalkeeper Kingsley Banks at his near post.

The save was to prove important, as the Swifts' next attack saw them open the scoring.

A quickly-taken throw-in on the right found Kevin Budge and the striker turned quickly to square to his partner, Jamie Window, who tapped in from four yards.

The visitors then lost Wilkinson but responded well and equalised soon afterwards.

Glenn Howes clipped the ball in towards Craig McAllister at the far post. His knock-down was perfect for Gorman to poke home from six yards on 34 minutes.

Gorman also went close from a 25-yard free-kick but by half-time Town trailed 2-1. Budge pounced to net the rebound after Window's shot had been half-saved by Scott Tarr in the last minute of the half.

Six minutes into the second half, Tinoi Christie sent Gorman through on goal but he lashed over.

Within a minute, the bravery of Tarr denied Budge his second of the afternoon but the visitors were undone on 55 minutes when Streetley's charge on the left flank took him into the area.

The Basingstoke defence missed the chance to clear on a couple of occasions and the ball fell kindly to Window to score.

The visitors continued to make chances but both Gorman and McAllister passed up presentable openings when through on goal.

The resistance was completely shattered, however, when Budge broke clear on to a long Banks clearance. Appeals for offside fell on deaf ears and he lobbed the ball coolly over the stranded Tarr just before the hour mark.

It was definitely not McAllister's afternoon as he missed another couple of good chances.

The home side were pretty ruthless in their exploitation of the home defensive gaps caused by the man advantage and, although Budge missed with his next chance, substitute Ross Taylor made up for that 18 minutes from time from Rob Walker's cross, netting with a glancing header.

Basingstoke Town: Tarr, Hemmings, Forbes (sub Foster 71min), Honor (sub Baker 45min) Wilkinson, Lisk (sub Layton 75min), Howes, Girdler, Gorman, McAllister, Christie.