BASINGSTOKE Town produced another superb comeback this season as they won 3-2 at home to Highworth Town having been 2-0 down at half-time.
The game ended with scenes of great celebration as the Dragons secured their first victory in the league, which moved them up two places off the foot of the table.
The win also extended new Basingstoke manager Dan Brownlie’s unbeaten run to four games since taking charge.
For the visit of Highworth, Dean Stow, Rueben Collins, Ben Wright and Zach Robinson all returned to the starting line-up.
However, it was the visitors who had the much better of the first 45 minutes, as the home side found it difficult to deal with Ashley Edenborough and Edjidja Mbunga,
As early as the seventh minute, good work from Edenborough allowed Darren Jefferies to get a shot off on the right, which went under goalkeeper Chris Rackley, but Scott Armsworth cleared the ball off the line.
The first goal for Highworth arrived six minutes later, as Edenborough and Mbunga combined to win a corner and from it, Leon Morrison headed home unchallenged at the back post.
The home side then came into the game more, but without really testing Connor Johns in the visiting goal.
Highworth continued to look the better side and Edenborough tried to lob Rackley from distance after 22 minutes, but the ball went over the bar.
Rackley was then called into action to make a good save which denied Jefferies from the edge of the area.
With just a minute left in the first half Highworth doubled their lead thanks to a sweet strike from Mbunga which flew into the top corner.
The second half started with the visitors looking to add to their tally and Rackley was forced into a double save early on.
However, after this the Dragons started to take control and the introduction of Riccardo Andrady saw their best chance to date, which was started by the sub and then saw him fire over.
On 66 minutes, midfielder Jordan Edwards returning from injury came off the bench and nine minutes later the home side were back in the game.
Stow was able to make ground down the right wing and he crossed into the danger zone. Highworth goalkeeper Johns caught the ball in air under pressure from his own centre half and Ben Wright proceeded to drop the ball into his own net.
With five minutes left in the game, Edwards steamed in at the back post and just failed to get his head to Andrady.
Had Basingstoke missed their chance of an equaliser? The answer was no.
Two minutes later, a Stow free-kick was sent into the box and headed back to Harrison Cliff, who fired in with a low range shot.
The home side now went looking for a winner and right on 90 minutes, an Alfie Saunders throw-in found Zach Robinson in the area and on the turn, the striker fired home to spark great celebrations.
The visitors now a goal down, went hunting for an equaliser and three minutes into added on time, they nearly got it, but Matthew Cheetham’s header went just over the bar.
The home side then saw out the remaining four minutes to make sure of another magnificent victory.
After the game manager Dan Brownlie said: “We were awful in the first half. We changed our shape for the second half and I told the boys if they got one goal, we would get three.
“It is easy to say that now, but the team have showed great character again.
“The win means so much to everyone at the club and the supporters were great again today.”
Next for the Dragons is an away trip in the FA Trophy this coming Saturday to league rivals Cirencester.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here