The Saints XI side were defeated 2-1 at Basingstoke Town on Saturday afternoon.
A closely fought encounter with the Conference South team at the Camrose, marked the return of Bartosz Bialkowski between the posts for the first time in pre season.
However, the Polish shot stopper had very little to do in a tepid first half where neither side offered much going forward, although Martin Hunter's side displayed a willingness to retain possession as much as possible.
Midfielder Andy Robinson went closest for the visitors in the early exchanges as he fired over from distance, before full back, Ben Reeves who was captain for the day, curled a free-kick off target inside the opening quarter of an hour's play.
Basingstoke offered precious few chances at the other end with Jahson Downes similarly blazing over when well placed on the stroke of half time.
Half Time: Basingstoke 0-0 Saints XI
Saints made three changes at the break, as Bialkowski, Robinson and Garrod were withdrawn for Jack Dovey, Anthony Pulis and Sam Hoskins.
And it took just four minutes for the deadlock to be broken in the second 45, but it was the hosts that got it as Matt Pattison's cross from the right was turned in by David Pratt inside the area with a first time finish.
The visitors rallied with half time substitute, Hoskins seeing his smart shot saved on the hour mark, but the young striker wasn't to be denied moments later when he nicked a header on to Reeves' beautifully clipped pass in the area, which looped over the advancing 'keeper, nestling in the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Scott Shulton supplied Lloyd Isgrove for a similar glancing effort on goal which was kept out, before Saints went close again with another lofted ball into the box which Jordace Holder-Spooner couldn't quite lob over the 'keeper who seemed to be in a hurry to come off his line all afternoon.
All of the attacking pressure from Saints was undone however, in the last fifteen minutes when Stuart Lake powered home a header from an in-swinging corner from the left which arrived moments after play was halted for a lengthy stoppage, as defender Ryan Tafazolli recovered from cramp.
Youngsters Joe Curtis and Jake Sinclair made cameo appearances late on, but the impetus of more fresh legs couldn't force an equaliser.
Full time: Basingstoke 2-1 Saints XI
Saints XI: Bartosz Bialkowski (Jack Dovey 46), Sam Argent, Ryan Tafazolli (Lloyd Foot 74), Aarran Racine, Ben Reeves, Andy Robinson (Anthony Pulis 46), Harlee Dean*, Scott Shulton* (Joe Curtis 87), Jordace Holder-Spooner (Jake Sinclair 80), Lloyd Isgrove, Tony Garrod (Sam Hoskins 46).
* trialists
