FRANK Gray was left to rue the enforced winter break after seeing his Basingstoke Town side crash out of the FA Trophy to lower league Salisbury City.

The Camrose club had gone almost three weeks without a game due to the big freeze, which also badly disrupted their training routine and led to Ross Adams and Simon Moore serving suspensions at an inopportune moment.

Gray said: “The first half was even and in the second half, having three weeks with no games and just two training sessions showed, as did having five players unavailable.

“Jay Gasson going down with a bug on the day of the game killed us because our preparation had not been ideal anyway.

“We had one or two too many big players missing. Being without Jay Gasson, Ross Adams, Simon Moore, Greg Draper and Delano Sam-Yorke, with David Pratt only fit for the bench, was always going to have an effect.”

Town were second best for large parts of Saturday’s game – and Gray was not completely happy with the way his side defended the visitors’ opening goal.

“For the first goal we did not react to the punch,” he said. “Chris Tardif did well but we did not react quickly enough to get the block on the shot.

“The first goal was always going to be crucial and if we had been able to score first we might have gone on to win the game.

“It’s not what we were hoping for but it was always going to be a tough game and Salisbury will probably be in the Conference South next season.”

Town are back in action on Tuesday, when they make the short trip to Hartley Wintney for a Hampshire Senior Cup tie (kick-off 7.30pm).

Adams and Moore could return after serving their suspensions, while Gasson could also feature and Sam-Yorke might also play.

However, doubts remain over strikers Draper (groin) and Pratt (shoulder).

Hartley will be well rested after their trip to Warlingham in Combined Counties division one was postponed.

See The Monday Gazette for a full report from Saturday's game.