A 90TH minute winner for the third time in four home games saw Basingstoke Town's promotion push gather even more momentum.

Town were made to work hard for the three points by a struggling Slough side who had lost seven in a row and failed to find the back of the net in their last five outings.

Ernie Howe, Ryman premier division manager of the month for December, was forced to shuffle his pack within the first 10 minutes when in-form wing-back Dominic Naylor had to be replaced by Julian Sills after a high challenge left him with a deep cut above the knee.

The visitors started the game like a team low on confidence but still managed to create the first clear opportunity of the game on 21 minutes.

Chris White launched a speculative high lob into the box which was collected by former Town striker Paul Coombs in what looked to be a clear offside position.

Play was allowed to continue, but the former Camrose favourite fired over the bar from close range.

Basingstoke's first opportunity arrived a minute later when Rob Cook exchanged passes with Adie Mings before firing a low effort into the 'keeper's arms from distance.

Cook had another chance three minutes later when a long throw caused confusion in the Slough penalty area as the midfielder's shot cannoned to safety off the back of a defender.

Town's injury woe struck again five minutes before the break as Jason Bristow collapsed to the ground with a hamstring problem that meant the end of his afternoon.

Richard Newbery stepped off the bench and into midfield as Sills dropped back to fill the hole in defence.

Three minutes into injury time at the end of the half Basingstoke grabbed the lead in farcical circumstances.

Town broke forward and Glenn Howes released Mings with a perfectly weighted pass, the big striker went round the 'keeper and rolled a shot towards goal.

Defender Steve Daly had time to intercept, but he made a complete mess of his clearance and could only help the ball into his own net.

Slough responded immediately and had drawn level by the break.

'Keeper Scott Tarr was unable to hold Paul Holsgrove's shot from distance and James Lambert was on hand to convert the rebound.

Within a minute of the second half the visitors almost grabbed the lead when Lee Archer's free kick was met by Coombs, forcing Tarr to push the ball behind for a corner.

Basingstoke began to exert more pressure as the half went on and Sean Gorman and Steve Baker both had opportunities before Mings grabbed his second of the game.

Baker's corner found its way to Cook outside the box and his low drive was deflected by Mings past the wrong-footed Danny Honey in the Slough goal.

Midway through the half another Baker corner was met with an overhead volley by Sills, which failed to find the target.

Then, with less than a quarter of an hour remaining, Slough shocked Basingstoke by getting back on level terms.

A high ball into the box was met with a low volley by Archer, who had made a run between two static Town defenders, giving Tarr no chance of making the save.

Basingstoke nearly got back on level terms on 79 minutes when an intricate passing move allowed Stuart Girdler to hit a shot with the outside of the right boot from the edge of the box that Honey tipped over.

Three minutes into injury time and just as the game looked to be heading for a draw, Town showed the growing resolve and self-belief in the camp by grabbing the winner.

Cook received the ball on the edge of the box and took his time before slipping in Newbery who wrapped his foot around the ball with a shot that crept under Honey and into the far corner.

Manager Howe said: "We faced a lot of disruption during the first half after we lost two players who have been outstanding for us and were left without a natural left-sided player.

"Scoring another last-minute winner shows that we keep going and that we wanted the win.

"We had a lot of the ball and it paid dividends in the end."

Town will attempt to fulfil their Hampshire Senior Cup tie at Newport IOW tomorrow (7.30pm) at the fourth time of asking.

Naylor (cut) and Bristow (hamstring) are both definitely out of this fixture, but long-term injury victim Mark Lisk could be drafted into the squad.