Ryman League

ERNIE Howe believes Basingstoke have the desire to push North Hampshire pace-setters Farnborough and Aldershot all the way in the Ryman Premier title race.

What Saturday's 3-2 win over struggling Slough Town lacked in quality, it more than made up for in never-say-die commitment as Stoke snatched a 90th-minute winner for the third time in their last four home games.

"We've definitely got the bit between our teeth now and you can see the desire is there," said Howe, whose side are now sixth in the table, nine points behind leaders Farnborough with two games in hand.

Wall-to-wall wins in December earned Howe the manager-of-the-month award, but he stressed: "You're only as good as the players and the bottom line is that they've achieved everything expected of them."

Although Slough arrived at the Camrose Ground reeling from seven straight league and cup defeats, Stoke's task was complicated by losing Dominic Naylor after just five minutes with a badly studded knee and, later, defender Jason Bristow with a pulled hamstring.

Twice Howe's reshuffled troops let the lead slip after twin strikes from Adie Mings - the first beautifully crafted by outstanding 18-year-old Glenn Howes and the second a deflection from Rob Cook's shot - but substitute Richard Newbery calmed nerves with the winner three minutes into stoppage time.

Newbery is the scourge of Slough, having scored three times against them this season, but Stoke could struggle to hold on to the former Carshalton hitman who is unhappy at failing to hold down a regular first-team place.

"I've told him to be patient," said Howe. "That's what the squad system is all about."