WOOTTON Bassett Town’s first match for four weeks ended in disappointment as Paul Braithwaite’s men were put to the sword at high-flying Thame United.

Bassett hadn’t been in action since their 3-1 win at Brimscombe & Thrupp on December 27 but Braithwaite’s men suffered a day on the road to forget as they were hammered 4-1 in Oxfordshire.

The hosts raced into a three-goal lead at the break, with Conor McDonagh firing home twice before Ben Gray looped in a header when he connected with Luke Rickett’s cross from deep.

In the second period, Thame’s Gray wriggled free before teeing up McDonagh for his hat-trick.

Bassett’s Steve Yeardley netted a late consolation goal from the penalty spot.