Bashley’s nine-game unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday as a squad rocked by a sickness bug fought hard before falling to a 2-1 defeat to Horndean at the Bashley Community Stadium.

The hosts got off to a perfect start, with Luke Delaney converting a second-minute penalty after a Horndean defender handled inside the area.

Delaney made no mistake from the spot to give Bashley an early lead, and the home side looked to build on their advantage, with Harry Baker briefly threatening before an offside flag halted his progress.

Bashley enjoyed much of the possession during the opening stages but found Horndean difficult to break down, while the visitors gradually began to pose more of a threat.

Ben Taylor proved crucial to keeping the hosts ahead. After a miscommunication at the back threatened to let a Horndean attacker through, the Bashley defence recovered to clear the danger.

Taylor then produced an excellent save in the 32nd minute, twisting and turning to deny an attacker who had found space inside the box and looked poised to equalise.

Bashley had a chance to extend their lead before half-time when Stephen Walker rose highest to meet a corner, only for his well-struck effort to fly narrowly over the crossbar.

The visitors increased the pressure after the break and came close to levelling in the 62nd minute, hitting the woodwork before Taylor gathered the rebound.

However, Bashley’s lead lasted only another minute. Angus Mackay found the net in the 63rd minute to bring Horndean level and shift the momentum towards the visitors.

The hosts continued to battle despite the disruption caused by illness within the squad, but Horndean found the decisive breakthrough seven minutes from time.

A corner fell to Brandon Miller inside the Bashley penalty area, and he drove the ball home to put the visitors ahead at 2-1.

Bashley now have little time to dwell on the defeat, with a midweek trip to Downton on Tuesday before travelling to Hamble Club on Saturday. Both matches kick off at 7.45pm and 3pm respectively.

Bashley: B. Taylor, D. Eccott-Young, L. Freak, S. Walker, J. Hall, B. Morris, H. Baker, L. Delaney, J. Lovell, L. Holmes, J. Freak. Subs: H. Wells, F. Richardson, S. Thorpe, J. Power, J. Johnston.