Boreham Wood boss Ian Allinson criticised his side’s defending after a 4-0 home defeat to Basingstoke Town dented their promotion hopes.

The result leaves Wood just two points clear at the top of the Conference South but second-placed Bromley also have two games in hand. It also allowed Saturday’s opponents Basingstoke to move within six points of them with a couple of matches in hand.

Allinson told the club website: “You cannot defend like that and win matches. Our centre backs failed to pick up for the first two goals, then ill discipline led to a free kick which James Russell I felt could have saved.”

Wood had not played in three weeks and the side looked rusty as visitors Basingtoke took full advantage to send them to their heaviest league defeat of the season.

Matty Whichelow had the first opportunity for the hosts but he fired straight at goalkeeper Stuart Moore.

Junior Morias was denied by Moore before the keeper was required to push away a curling shot from debutant Daryl McMahon.

The opening goal came after 22 minutes when Liam Enver-Marum’s cross was guided into the net by Chris Flood.

It got worse for Wood in the 36th minute when the visitors doubled their lead.

Enver-Marum raced onto a long clearance and his shot was parried by Russell but the striker netted the rebound to leave the league leaders in trouble.

A disastrous spell before the break led to Basingstoke’s third goal of the match. Luke Garrard conceded a free-kick just outside the area and Flood’s was only pushed into the net by Russell.

The hosts almost got on the scoresheet when Garrard’s cross was not dealt with by Moore but Ricky Shakes’ shot was deflected onto the post by the keeper.

Wood were frustrated in the second half as the visitors snuffed out any threat posed by them.

Basingstoke added their fourth goal when Enver-Marum helped set up Flood for his hat-trick.

The visitors could have scored even more with Lloyd Macklin’s shot cleared off the line by Jordan Brown.

It was a day for the hosts to forget and Allinson felt his side were disappointing after they conceded the opener.

The Wood boss said: “It is difficult when you play at home and try to press the opposition high up the field if you fail to defend.

“We started well and had some good chances but our performance was average after they scored.

“There was a lot of huffing and puffing in the second half from us but we need to build again now with two away games coming up.”

Allinson’s side need to produce a strong response tomorrow when they face a difficult trip to third-placed Whitehawk.

The Hawks are only five points behind Wood although they have played a game more.

Wood need to improve on a poor record against the top six sides with a return of just five points from six matches this season.

The promotion contenders follow up this game by visiting second bottom Farnborough on Monday.