A DELIGHTED Frank Gray paid tribute to his Basingstoke Town side after they ended Bromley’s unbeaten league run with a well-deserved 4-1 win.

The Kent side went into Saturday’s game at the Camrose atop the Blue Square South table but went home with their tails between their legs thanks to goals from Greg Draper, Matt Warner and a late brace from substitute Delano Sam-Yorke.

Town boss Gray said: “It was a good performance against a strong side. We knew there would be times when we would be without the ball for long spells and it would be about how we coped with that.

“We deserved to win because of the effort we put in and it was good to get that reward.”

Having been sent off at the end of his impressive debut, Sam-Yorke’s fine cameo performance in his second and final match of a one-month loan spell from AFC Wimbledon clearly impressed Gray.

“Delano has come on and done well,” the manager said.

“They were two, good striker’s finishes and he is capable of that.

“We will have to talk to Wimbledon with a view to getting his loan extended because he is a good player to have available.”

The return of Sam-Yorke and addition on non-contract terms of 20-year-old defender Callum Reynolds, who had an impressive spell at the club in 2008/09, gave Gray a welcome selection headache.

Both went onto the bench, leaving Tom Williamson and Jahson Downes to watch the game from the stands.

“As a manager it is a great position to be in,” Gray said.“It is difficult for players not involved and I do not expect them to be happy but when everyone is fit there has to be people left out.”

Saturday’s victory was Town’s fifth on the bounce in all competitions, while the three points lifted them to 11th in the table.

“Now we must look to keep playing like that,” Gray added. “We need to keep our feet on the ground and have the same attitude for every game.”

Town have been drawn away at Combined Counties outfit Hartley Wintney in the third round of the Hampshire Senior Cup, while tomorrow night will see them host Fleet Town in a friendly at the Camrose (kick-off 7.30pm).

See The Monday Gazette for a full report.