Away day specialists Northwood made it four consecutive league wins on their travels with an impressive 3-1 victory over fifth-placed Basingstoke Town on Saturday.

Goals from Josh Helmore, Teddy Stacey and Sydney Ibie secured the points to leave Woods 15th in the Isthmian South Central table.

The visitors lined up in a 3-4-3 formation with Ibie and Kyal Williams playing either side of Helmore in attack while there was a return to the starting XI for keeper Daniel Purdue who replaced Dan Hosier after he picked up an injury in the pre-game warm-up.

The contest got off to a lively start with Basingstoke’s James Hayworth picking up an early caution for a cynical challenge on Williams, Keagan Cole’s resulting free-kick just running away from Tommy Boxer at the far post.

Woods continued their bright start and were good value for taking the lead with 17 minutes on the clock when Sam Jenkins played in Helmore who showed great strength and composure, holding off a couple of defenders before calmly stroking the ball home.

The visitors were finding plenty of space down both flanks, Ibie almost capitalising on Carl Stewart’s cross with a shot on the turn which flew wide.

Their wing-backs were also getting into advanced positions, with an Andy Lomas cross finding Jenkins who went to ground with a knee in his back, the referee waving away the penalty appeals.

Basingstoke thought they had drawn level on 36 minutes as Jack French redirected McKoy Palmer’s volley into the net after Purdue had punched clear, but an offside flag came to Northwood’s rescue.

Woods finished the opening period strongly and enjoyed the perfect start to the second half as they extended their lead on 48 minutes.

Stacey began and finished a sweeping move as he released Williams whose crisp shot was parried by Paul Strudley, but the ball fell nicely to his on-rushing teammate who made no mistake on the follow-up for his first league goal.

The hosts needed a quick response and they went close as Robert Sheridan hooked the ball wide as he latched onto a cross to the far post.

The Dragons then enjoyed a spell of pressure as they forced a series of corners, with substitute Benjamin Cook shooting wide before Purdue produced a couple of smart saves to deny Conor Lynch and Bradley Wilson.

Woods’ backline continued to stand up to the test, with James Gurteen enjoying his best game since his return to the club as Basingstoke continued to be frustrated.

More defending was required when Purdue made a double save to deny Lynch and substitute Stefan Brown before Nathan Smart saw his long-range shot clear the crossbar.

Woods introduced Micah Jackson for the final ten minutes and the substitute was integral to his side's third goal as he won possession in the middle of the park before playing the ball through to Ryan Young who unselfishly squared to Ibie to apply the finish to effectively end the contest on 86 minutes.

The visitors looked to see out the final minutes, but they were unable to keep a clean sheet as Wilson fired in a consolation goal deep in stoppage time. But that wasn’t enough to dampen Woods’ spirits as they were able to celebrate another impressive away win which takes them four points clear of the bottom of the table and eagerly anticipating the visit of third-placed Marlow next Saturday.