THERE was only one name on the lips of Basingstoke Town fans as they left the Soccer AM Stadium on Saturday and this was George Hallahan.

The youngster came off the subs bench and turned Town’s latest friendly against Reading's under-21s on its head.

The striker set-up the opening goal, scored the second with a superb strike, and then as cool as you like slotted home the winner as the Dragons roared back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, as four goals were scored in the final 12 minutes of the contest.

This finale seemed so unlikely after the first 45 minutes saw few clear cut chances, with Simon Dunn coming closest with a low shot which hit the post just before the break.

Reading after starting slowly looked the more likely to score in the opening session with Harry Caldwell proving a handful upfront and Lesamdro Semedo looking very lively.

The midfielder showed some nice touches, but just lacked the end product, but he is certainly one to look out for in the future.

He linked up really well with Nana Owusu and Facundo Lescamo down the left hand side.

After David Ray headed wide and Lloyd Macklin's tame shot was saved the home side had a real let off as Caldwell's header flashed across the goal.

Then just before half-time Dunn's low shot was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Lewis Ward.

At half-time Reading made eight changes to their line-up and Town started to look the batter team, having struck the same side which started the contest.

Chris Flood went close with a glancing header from a Manny Williams, before the Royals took the lead after 59 minutes.

This was after Shaun McAuley decided to pass the ball across his own six yard box to Noor Husin, who scored from close range.

A minute later, Town made a number of changes and looked the more likely to score, but then found themselves 2-0 down, as Husin netted again.

The midfielder's shot took a wicked deflection, which sent his shot looping over the head of Howe into the Basingstoke net.

Town’s reply was swift as straight from the kick-off, Hallahan played in Liam Enver-Marum to net.

The home side came looking for an equaliser and Hallahan scored with a lovely strike from the edge of the area, which would not have looked out of place in the Premier League, which made it 2-2.

The comeback was completed as the same player slotted home a minute later, as he put in by a Manny Williams and cooly placed the ball past the Reading goalkeeper.

Town continue their pre-season with a trip to Fleet Town tomorrow night.

PLAYER RATINGS

Aaron Howe – 7

No real chance with the two goals and made a couple of nice saves.

Nathan Smart – 6

Had a busy time in defence and only rarely got forward.

Tom Bird – 7

As ever provided great delivery with free-kicks and corners.

James Harper – 6

Came more into the game in the second half, being invisible before the break.

Jay Gasson – 7

Coped well with the speedy Reading forward line.

David Ray – 7

Solid at the back and did well against the lively Royals attackers.

Simon Dunn – 6

He had a shot which hit the post, but was never really in the game.

Shaun McAuley – 4

School boy error for Reading’s first goal. What was he thinking!

Lloyd Macklin – 6

Not a lot of service and so never had a chance to shine.

Chris Flood – 7

Worked hard, but little to feed off of.

Manny Williams – 7

Drifted in and out of the game, but did set-up the winner.

SUBSTITUTES

Rob Rice (for Nathan Smart 60 min) – 6

Solid as you would expect from him.

Ryan Case (for Jay Gasson 60 min) – 6

Kept things simple and made the tackles when he had to.

Adam Nditi (for Tom Bird 60 min) – 6

Showed some nice touches, but out shone by the Reading youngsters.

Will Salmon (for David Ray 60 min) – 6

Looked okay in a back four with Rice, Nditi and Case.

James Brown (for Simon Dunn 60 min) – 7

Looked lively and worked really hard.

Liam Enver-Marum (for Shaun McAuley 60 mins) – 7

Scored the opening goal and added a spark to the forward line.

George Hallahan (for Lloyd Macklin 71 mins) – 9 (Gazette Star Man)

Scored two goals and was the match winner. This has surely earned him a spot on the subs bench at least for the start of the season. He is an exciting prospect.

Subs (not used): Gray, Maylen.

Reading: Ward (sub Southwood 46 mins), Sheppard (sub Watson 46), Owusu, Shaughnessy, Fridjonsson (sub Lawal 46), Jules (sub Amoo 46), Semendo (sub Collins 46), Kelly (sub Djorkovic 46), Caldwell (sub Hussin 46), Tanner, Lescamo (sub Vastsujk 46). Subs (not used): McIntyre.