BANBURY United fell to two late goals as they lost 3-1 at Basingstoke Town in Evo-Stik South Premier.

The Puritans went behind in the fifth minute when keeper Jack Harding dropped Sam Smart’s cross, and Sam Argent was on hand to knock the ball home from close range.

Luke Carnell headed just over for Banbury from a Tom Winters free-kick midway through the half.

Though Basingstoke controlled the rest of the first half, the visitors conjured up an equaliser right on half-time when Harding’s long kick fell to Winters who let fly with an excellent shot from 25 yards, the ball sailing over Colin McAdden in the Basingstoke goal.

After the break the visitors had strong appeals for a penalty turned down after Charlie Hawtin appeared to be brought down.

The game looked like petering out into a draw before Basingstoke substitute Ashleigh Artwell, who had only been on the field a few seconds, netted from close range in the 76th minute.

Banbury struggled to make much impression in the final stages and were caught out again three minutes into stoppage time when Smart’s low cross was slotted home by Argent.

Banbury Utd: Harding, Hawtin, Martin, Nash, Bradbury, Carnell, Self (Shamsi 80), Pond, Louis (McDonagh 84), Johnson, Winters. Subs not used: Westbrook, Peake-Pijnen, Howards.

Attendance: 486