BELEAGUERED Bashley simply didn't have the manpower to do Newport IoW a favour in the Ryman 1 survival fight last night.

Ashford Town have made ground on the Islanders in the battle to beat the drop after soundly beating Bash 4-1 in Kent.

All the goals were crammed into the first half with Paul Jones, John Thorogood (2) and Matt Bowers on target for Ashford and Dave Wakefield bagging the Foresters' reply.

Wakefield again bowed out at half-time with knee problems and, on top of their usual absentees, Bash travelled without suspended skipper Chris Ferrett plus injured duo Matt Parnell and Jake Newton.

Butler, who makes his living building patios, reflected afterwards: "If I didn't have a saw, hammer and nails it would be impossible because you can't do a job without tools.

"It was the same for us tonight. Much as I'd like to have done Newport a favour, you can't without people like Ferrett, Parnell, Danny Gibbons, Andy Culliford, Richard Gillespie...the list goes on.

"Our keeper, David Elm, didn't exactly cover himself with glory either and was probably at fault for all four goals."

It might have worked out differently for Bashley had on-loan Eastleigh striker Barry Mason not had a goal ruled out for offside when they were 1-0 down.

But Butler confessed: "Fair play to Ashford, they were excellent and worked very, very hard. It was a like a cup final to them. They've got quite a few big, experienced players and it was men against boys."

With two to drop, Ashford (35 points) have climbed a point behind fourth-to-bottom Newport (36) going into the last two games. Bottom club Croydon are already doomed and Dorking (34) now occupy the second relegation spot.

Gosport Borough remain on course to finish third in the Sydenhams Wessex League after scraping a 1-0 win at Cowes Sports.

The match was decided by an own goal when Neil Scammell's effort went in off a defender's leg.

"It wasn't a bad performance," summed up Gosport assistant boss Gary Lee. "We were made to work hard by Cowes on a pitch that didn't suit our playing style. We had to go route one.

"We stand no chance of catching the top two clubs (Winchester and Lymington), but we need three points from three games to make sure of third place and that's what we're aiming for."

Lymington & New Milton kick off their friendly against Finnish side VASA IFK at 7.30pm at Fawcett's Field tonight, NOT 7.45pm as previously announced.

The Linnets will be hoping to emulate Salisbury's 2-0 victory over VASA on Monday when Leigh Phillips and Michael Cooper scored.