WOOTTON Bassett Town paid the price for a sloppy start to the second half as they slipped to defeat at high-flying Ascot United on Tuesday night.

Paul Braithwaite’s men had managed to keep a lid on their third-placed opponents, who have also made the quarter-finals of the FA Vase, in the first 45 minutes but after the Yellamen broke the deadlock early in the second period, they pressed home the issue to send Bassett packing.

Callum Wright went close to opening the scoring in the first half whilst the hosts’ Jon Keough had a header cleared off the line before Leon Yarnie nodded onto the bar.

Ascot raced out of the blocks after half-time and Yarnie capitalised from inside the Bassett area to put the home side in control.

Jesse Wilson set up Robert Saunders to blast home the hosts’ second of the evening and Ian Brooks headed home from a corner kick to kill off any chance of a Bassett fightback.

The visitors did find something to shout about at the death as Joe Hiscock’s weak shot was fumbled by Ascot keeper Chris Grace, allowing substitute Huge Viveash to net a late consolation goal.

On Saturday, Braithwaite’s men got the better of a fiery encounter with Newbury at the Corinium Stadium.

George Drewitt stabbed home from close range before Henry Traas headed home Bassett’s second.

Tyler Sheppard struck the post before Steve Robertson curled home, with Newbury’s Cellyn Crook netting late on as the hosts won 3-1.