The Missioners are now staring down the barrel of the relegation gun as defeat at the Dripping Pan coupled with a Basingstoke win sees us fall back into the drop zone with just six points left to play for.

The game was far from a classic and what didn't help was that every time the ball went out of play at the far end of the ground the players had to jump into the building site to retrieve the ball, whilst I understand work is on-going the fact that there were no ball boys or stewards to retrieve the ball was very unprofessional.

Early chances were to come the way of the visitors, Liam Feeney's cross from the right was headed out by Steve Robinson but only as far as Daniel Dyer, his return was met on the volley by Sean Ridgway but sadly his effort was just off target. Still without Kevin Davies being troubled, another chance came our way on 19 minutes when Davies' long punt was flicked on by Kieran Knight to Josh Scott but his first time shot was again just wide of the post.

The Rooks then finally stirred and started moving forwards with menace, a goalmouth scramble ensued following a corner before the ball found it's way out wide to Lewis Hamilton but his cross was well held by Davies. Minutes later John Munday was caught in possession by Craig O'Connor who neatly set up Gary Holloway but his drive was well blocked by Jamie Jarvis.

Just after the half hour mark the first nail was driven in when a straight ball low into the box by Hamilton evaded all bar Jean-Michel Sigere who controlled the ball and fired past Davies will his usual accuracy.

Hayes did in fact finish the half the stronger after going behind, a quick throw to Scott saw first his shot blocked followed closely by Knights follow up being blocked and when the loose ball came to Feeney he spooned his effort into the air and keeper Steve Williams caught the ball with ease under his crossbar. We almost closed the half in style, Scott surged forwards on the left before pulling the ball back to Knight who struck the ball well enough but was denied by a superb sliding block by defender Marcel McKie.

Sadly the Hayes creation of the first half was not to be repeated in the second as the best we could muster was six minutes into the half when a deep corner from the left was met beyond the far post by Munday whose header went all the way along the line before being cleared off the line by substitute Simon Wormull.

As for the Rooks they also created very little but did find a vital second goal, again from Sigere. Sigere himself had gone close before Chris Greatwich was put through against Davies, the keeper did well to block and Jack Haverson cleared up. Minutes later though we were split apart and conceded a second, the Rooks had possession on the right side before firing a perfect crossfield pass to an unmarked Wormull on the left, his cross being perfectly met by Sigere who powered his header past Davies.

The final ten minutes saw an Ian Simpemba header held by Davies and an O'Connor shot deflected wide as the game ended with a whimper and left the Missioners facing Mission improbable in the last fortnight of the game.



Report by Kevin Watts.