BASINGSTOKE Town conceded two soft goals on their way to defeat against visiting Aldershot Town at The Soccer AM Stadium on Saturday.

Aldershot moved the ball well at times, but the hosts looked comfortable against their National League opponents for most of this pre-season friendly, with goalkeeper Aaron Howe rarely threatened.

Town created just as many chances and led at half-time thanks to Chris Flood’s header, but a mistake from Howe allowed the visitors to draw level just after the hour.

The winner arrived in the closing stages, with Town failing to clear their lines and allowing an Aldershot trialist to fire home from a narrow angle.

Basingstoke were without Simon Dunn and Jamie Brown but otherwise fielded a very strong side, with Will Salmon continuing at right-back and Liam Enver-Marum spearheading a three-pronged attack alongside Flood and Lloyd Macklin.

Macklin had a chance to open the scoring in the first minute after his pace took him beyond Aldershot centre-back Jack Saville, but his low shot was comfortably saved.

Enver-Marum fired a chance wide as Town made a good start, but the visitors then managed to get into the game, keeping the ball well.

However, for all of their possession, the visitors didn’t really threaten, with Town fairly comfortable in defence.

Tom Richards went closest for Aldershot, firing wide from the edge of the area, but it was Basingstoke who took the lead with 25 minutes on the clock.

James Harper chipped a ball into the area and the Aldershot defenders missed it, allowing the ball to reach an unmarked Flood, who headed home at the far post.

Enver-Marum, who had earlier seen a goal disallowed for a push, fired a shot wide rather than picking out the better-placed Shaun McAuley soon after.

Jay Gasson was a bit fortunate not to concede a penalty for a clumsy challenge in the area, but in general, Town looked the more dangerous side for a spell.

Only some good defending prevented Enver-Marum getting on the end of Tom Bird’s cross, while Louie Soares’ corner found David Ray, but he was unable to direct his header under the crossbar.

Enver-Marum then failed to make the most of good play from Flood and Soares, his first touch taking him into a defender.

Aldershot finished the first half on the front foot and nearly levelled when Sam Hatton’s corner found Jim Stevenson, but his header was nodded onto the crossbar by Bird, who was defending the far post.

The game swung back Basingstoke’s way in the early stages of the second half, with Enver-Marum flashing a couple of shots across goal and Ray heading a free-kick wide.

However, the hosts conceded a sloppy equaliser on 63 minutes. Under pressure from Damian Lathrope, Howe made a hash of Manny Williams’ back-pass, failing to make anything approaching good contact.

Lathrope picked up the loose ball and centred for Jake Gallagher to slot home with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.

Enver-Marum put another chance wide for Town, while Dan Walker was narrowly off-target with a couple of opportunities for the visitors.

However, the visitors found a winning goal seven minutes from time. Town failed to clear their lines, with Williams giving the ball away, and a visiting trialist took advantage, bursting into the area before firing a powerful shot just inside the far post.

Basingstoke had a couple of opportunities to level, but Enver-Marum failed to make the most of another chance, while Williams headed over as the game ticked into stoppage time.

Town are in pre-season action again tomorrow night, when League Two outfit Wycombe Wanderers travel to The Soccer AM Stadium.

Click here to watch a post-match interview with Basingstoke Town manager Jason Bristow

PLAYER RATINGS

Aaron Howe – 5 (out of 10)

Not really tested too often, but made a big mistake for the equalising goal.

Will Salmon – 7

Another solid display at right-back.

Tom Bird – 7

As keen to get forward as ever and strong defensively.

James Harper – 7

Set up the goal with a nice ball into the area and played some lovely passes, but tried too many difficult passes and was caught out of position at times.

Jay Gasson – 5

Still looks a bit rusty. Fortunate not to concede a penalty after three poor clearances and almost gifted a chance to the visitors by tripping over the ball on halfway.

David Ray – 8 (Gazette Star Man)

Didn’t put a foot wrong defensively and caused problems in the Aldershot box.

Louie Soares – 7

Didn’t quite hit the heights of his previous performances, but still showed some nice touches and was Town’s best midfielder.

Shaun McAuley – 7

Showed plenty of energy and kept the ball well.

Liam Enver-Marum – 6

A mixed day. Continued to impress in terms of sharpness, but failed to make the most of several chances that came his way, shooting when he had better options at times.

Chris Flood – 8

A willing runner on the left wing and joined play up nicely. Took his goal well.

Lloyd Macklin – 6

Struggled to really get into the game, but his pace always makes him dangerous.

SUBSTITUTES

Nathan Smart (for Salmon 45min) – 7

Got up and down the right side well in the second half.

Manny Williams (for Macklin 61min) – 5

Asked to play in midfield and didn’t seem to enjoy it. Involved in the build up to both Aldershot goals.

Harrison Gilkes (for McAuley 61min) – 6

Didn’t really get a chance to show what he is capable of.

George Hallahan (for Soares 79min) – 6

Barely had a kick after coming on as a late substitute.

Subs (not used): Robbie Rice, Sam Gray, Taylor Watts

Aldershot Town: Smith, Alexander (sub Beckles 45min), McGinty, Saville, Oliver, Hatton (sub Trialist B 79min), Lathrope, Stevenson (sub Gallagher 62min), Richards, Trialist A (sub C Walker 66min), D Walker

Subs (not used): Thomas, Barker

Attendance: 389

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