BASINGSTOKE Town slipped back to just above the Southern League Premier South relegation zone, after they suffered their third consecutive away defeat going down 1-0 at Hendon.

The Dragons once again had a couple of new faces in their squad in Joe Hancott and Adam Everiss.

Portsmouth left back Hancott has been signed on loan after the departure of Rob Gerrard to Australia.

The defender’s claim to fame is that he is the youngest ever player to make his debut for Portsmouth when aged 16 years and 161 days in 2017, when he played for Pompey against Fulham under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy.

He went straight into the starting line-up, while former Hartley man Adam Everiss, who had been playing at Camberley and is well known to Town assistant boss Dan Brownlie had a spot on the sub’s bench.

It was the visitors who had the first opportunity of the game as Sam Smart tested the home goalkeeper.

Hendon had the better of the first 45 minutes of the game and took the lead after

a deep cross undid the Town defence and Charlie Smith fired home.

Town nearly equalised soon after the break, but Sam Argent’s shot was saved by Andrew McCorkell.

The home side then went close to doubling their lead after a goal mouth scramble, but Tom McGill made a save and the ball was cleared away by Kraig Noel-McLeod.

Just after the hour mark, Basingstoke’s Ben Wright in a good position fired wide and then a double block from new boy Hancott denied Hendon a chance.

With 10 minutes left in the contest, Smart created an opening, but unfortunately it never came to anything and Hendon held on to take the three points.

This Saturday, the Dragons are back in action at home, when mid table Swindon Supermarine will be the visitors to the Camrose.