FRANK Gray is hoping that his side have turned a corner after seeing them produce a spirited display to beat Staines.

The Basingstoke Town manager had seen his side fail to win in eight games before Saturday’s trip to Middlesex and was relieved to see them record a long-overdue victory.

“We needed that today,” Gray said. “Staines are a good side and we had to work hard, which we did.

“I do not want us to go back to what has happened the last couple of weeks. All round, that was a great performance. We approached the game in the right way and showed good spirit.”

The winning goal was made by striker Mitchell Byrant, who has returned to the club on a month’s loan from Reading after having a successful spell at the Camrose last season.

“Mitch gives us another option up front and he did well to create the goal,” Gray said. “He is a clever footballer.”

Gray recalled goalkeeper Ross Kitteridge from a spell on the bench and he repaid his manager by making a crucial save at the end of the game.

“Ross deserves a lot of credit,” Gray said.

“He was very steady and made a good save at the end to keep three points for us.”

Town face a trip to Southern League division one outfit VT in the Hampshire Senior Cup tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Southampton side knocked Basingstoke out of the competition last season and Gray is looking for a slice of revenge.

“It would be nice to win down there after what happened last season,” he said. “We do not have a game next Saturday, so we will field our strongest possible side.”

Jide Ogunbote is unlikely to feature, while central defender Lewis Christon missed the trip to Staines with an ankle problem.

However, Gray indicated that Nigerian striker Benedict Akwuegbu could be involved after being named among the substitutes at Staines.