Basingstoke Town 0, Billericay Town 1

ERNIE HOWE was once again left frustrated and annoyed after watching Town slump to defeat against basement side Billericay.

Howe was critical of his defenders after they conceded directly from a set-piece.

Billericay's winner came when an unmarked Gary Hansell met an inswinging corner in the 38th minute and planted a firm header into the roof of the net from eight yards.

Jason Bristow was the defender who failed to mount a challenge, and Howe was at a loss to understand why such a basic element of the game had been ignored.

He said: "It's happened on too many occasions this season. I make it five games now in which we have conceded from set-pieces. It's not good enough.

"It's the same stuff all the time. You try to be patient and constructive, but defenders have got to defend.

"You cannot let the opposition have free headers. It's very frustrating to lose a game through such a basic error.

"I've brought in some midfielders to try and solve our problems there, and then problems appear in defence.

"Perhaps I have to rebuild again - get a defender as well - but how many times can you do that in a season?"

Howe added he withdrew Steve Hemmings in the second half because he was getting caught out of position, plus the fact his yellow card - which he was fortunate was not red - left him one tackle away from a dismissal.

Hemmings brought down Danny Hockton in the 56th minute, clipping his heels as he tried to stop the forward who was clean through and in a goal-scoring opportunity.

Match referee Mr Evamy admitted afterwards he had thought too long about which card to produce, and had erred in not sending Hemmings off.

Until Billericay's goal, however, Town had enjoyed a great deal of possession.

However, the Town midfield too often failed to support Craig McAllister up front. The gaps between the two areas of the pitch were huge.

The striker was continually left to battle alone and create his own chances.

He was unlucky in the 30th minute when he beat two defenders in the area to get a left foot shot away that cannoned back off the left hand post.

Billericay offered little going forward but did enjoy some good possession, keeping the ball well at times.

Misfiring Town forward Neville Roach blasted over from eight yards in the 64th minute, but it was Scott Tarr who kept his side in the game with a fantastic double save from Steve Jones in the 70th minute.

Substitute Alex Ewin had two great chances to earn Town a point, but he directed his free header from a corner wide in the 82nd minute.

Then, in injury time, he somehow fired wide just yards out after John Dyer's fine cross was nodded down by McAllister at the back post.

Howe said: "You can accept certain things will not go right in games, but I cannot accept that defending. Changes may have to be made for the Northwood game tomorrow night."

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, David Ray, Matt Warner, Ben Surey, Jason Bristow, Steve Hemmings (Ian Dickens 60min), Ricky Allaway, Efon Elad, Craig McAllister, Neville Roach (Alex Ewin 78min), Ollie Burgess (John Dyer 85min).

Attendance: 284.

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