It was a remarkable night at the Aerial Direct Stadium.

It began with Alex Pike and his team desperately wanting to end a month long goal drought and notch up their first win in five weeks. It also began with the play-offs still a mathematical possibility - but a very distant one in reality.

But ninety minutes is a very long time in football and by the end of the evening, everything looked far more upbeat. They had secured a nervy 3-2 win which had consequences and both ends of the table.

Boro’ are up to eighth in the table, two points adrift of a play-off place ahead of their penultimate away trip of the season to Chelmsford City at the weekend. The result, combined with a win for Weston Super Mare and a draw for St Albans at Hemel Hempstead also finally relegated Basingstoke, ending their proud stay in the National League.

Goals from Dan Wooden, Justin Bennett and Adam Wilde cancelled out replies from Liam Enver-Marum and Manny Williams for Basingstoke in a nervous, cagey Hampshire derby.

Both sides made a lively start to a crucial game at both ends of the table with Gosport still harbouring faint hopes of reaching the play-offs and Basingstoke needing a win to avoid relegation. Adam Wilde came in for Tom Dunford in Boro's only change from their goalless draw at home to Bishops Stortford at the weekend.

Louie Soares fired wide for the visitors in the game’s first real opportunity but clear-cut chances were in short supply as the game settled into an end to end rhythm.

Suddenly, after 20 minutes Gosport finally broke their month long goal drought and were ahead. Rory Williams’ 30 yard pile driver cannoned off Aaron Howes’ crossbar and fell kindly to the waiting Dan Wooden, who gratefully tucked home the rebound.

The goal galvanised Boro’ who moved up through the gears. Sam Pearce was put through by Charlie Higgins who delivered a delightful ball but the Gosport captain saw his effort saved by Howe.

Howe was called into action again as he averted a certain disaster for the Dragons, tipping over a wayward clearance from Jack Deaman that was heading for the back of the visitors net. Tom Bird rattled the woodwork with a high, looping cross which bounced harmlessly away in Basingstoke’s first real opportunity.

The second half started with an immediate opportunity for Gosport as Bennett burst clear and fired wide with the angle narrowing as Gosport’s record goalscorer was odds on to extend their lead. Boro’ continued to hold the upper hand.

However the Dragons’ were inches from an equaliser as Louie Soares’ diagonal shot was tipped wide by Legg at full stretch. The corner was cleared and Gosport stormed upfield. From that attack, Bennett gave Gosport a commanding lead finishing off a delightful move that involved Wilde and Cuthbertson who squared the ball across to Bennett who finished in style.

Gosport were quickly pegged back as Liam Enver-Marum fired home from just inside the home side’s area with the shot whistling past Legg. With renewed hope, the Dragons almost scored an instant equaliser as a ball squared across the six yard box was hastily cleared by Cuthbertson.

The middle third of the half saw Basingstoke cause their hosts some uncomfortable moments as they looked for an equaliser. Meanwhile, scores in other league games were dictating that, whatever happened, Terry Brown’s team would be relegated if everything stayed the same.

Basingstoke will have rued their missed opportunities as Adam Wilde scored a classy third, latching onto a Rory Williams cross and rifling home. But the two goal cushion was instantly cut back to one. Basingstoke immediately hit back with Manny Williams making the most of confusion in the Boro’ area to once again give Basingstoke hope.

The Dragons always threatened an equaliser in a nerve jangling finale and Brown sent on Macklin for McCauley. Meanwhile Gosport introduced May for the tiring Wilde. Mike Carter hit the post for Gosport in stoppage time as Gosport held onto win.

Relief was visibly on the faces of the Boro’ players and management. The performance offered largely deserved the win but Basingstoke also gave their all in a lively contest.

So the play-offs a reality still? Absolutely!