A DISASTROUS final five minutes cost Guernsey the points at Footes Lane this afternoon.
The home side were 10 points ahead as the game drifted into stoppage time, but twice in that period the visitors, who began the day bottom of the table, ran over for tries, the last in the corner in what was the very final play of the match.
The final whistle went as the conversion attempt sailed wide, but Basingstoke were already celebrating and Guernsey lamenting the throwing away of vital points.
Guernsey looked to have sewn the matchup when Nick Barton bundled over for the side's fourth try with 9min. remaining, but then Guernsey came under pressure as they battled with only 14 men, Jim Regnard having been given a yellow card which ruled him out of the closing moments.
Earlier, Guernsey had led with Shane Taylor and Matt Ball scoring tries, one of which was converted bySam Whitehead, who added a penalty.
But Basingstoke fought back to be level at 15-15 at the break, and they edged ahead with a penalty early in the second half.
Dale Rutledge's unconverted try snatched back the lead for the home side who then stretched 10 clear with two close-range Whitehead penalties.