Basingstoke FC's first match in nearly three weeks ended with the Dragons eliminated from the FA Trophy by near neighbours Salisbury City following a 0-2 loss at home on Saturday.
Town were on the back foot from before the kick-off, having not played since their Trophy replay victory at Havant & Waterlooville.
Manager Frank Gray had to field a weakened side, starting without a first choice goalkeeper, two centre backs and three forwards because of injuries and suspensions.
The second half showed the difference between the two sides.
City showed the benefit of being full time and having match fitness. The Dragons matched them in the first half, but holes began to appear in the Town defence in the second period.
Town were under pressure in the opening ten minutes, with Jake Reid going close from a free kick and Charlie Knight producing a good save from Chris Tardif.
The visitors looked to gain early advantage on the attack, but Town fought back, led by Jahson Downes, whose shot was blocked and Steve Laidler’s follow up was comfortably saved.
An even half saw both sides nearly take the lead in the final minutes.
Calamity nearly came for City when keeper Tommy Smith collided with a defender, but the Salisbury defence scrambled it clear. At the other end, Rob Rice was forced to defend well to cut out a dangerous cross.
The second half was all about the visitors. They started brightly as they had in the first period, but this time the Dragons were out of fire and there was little in the tank.
The deadlock was broken nine minutes after the break. Town failed to deal with a ball bouncing in the box under pressure and Tardif only managed to punch to the edge of the box. Darrell Clarke fired back at him just inside his left post.
Town were now chasing the game, forcing the first substitution with David Pratt, still recovering from injury, replacing Smart.
But it was the visitors, who broke with pace through Jake Reid and Kayne McLaggon, who looked most likely to score as Town pushed forward and left gaps in defence.
City attacks continued as Town came under more and more pressure. Reid was booked for diving as he went down under a challenge from Tardif in the area, having got in behind the Town defence.
The Dragons were sunk on 79 minutes when they lost possession in attack and another Salisbury break away proved decisive. Clarke raced down the left and crossed for Kelly, who produced a fine save from Tardif, but he could do nothing about the rebound as McLaggon fired into the net.
The Dragons must pick themselves up for Saturday’s trip to high-flying Braintree Town and avenge their previous victory at the Camrose earlier in the season.
Pictures by Denis Murphy
