IT'S early days yet, but John Robson's prediction that Gareth Keeping could be Bashley's answer to departed skipper Craig Davis looks like coming true.

The New Forest-based midfielder was boss Robson's overwhelming choice as man-of-the-match in Saturday's feisty 2-1 win at Burgess Hill Town.

Former Lymington & New Milton youngster Keeping joined Bash from crisis-hit Newport IoW earlier this month with a mission to prove himself.

He did just that with a tireless display at Leylands Park, where he capped a fine debut by scoring the opening goal.

Robson said: "Gareth's a manager's dream. We lost a first-class player in Craig Davis but this lad is the perfect replacement. His box-to-box workrate is outstanding. He's got a fantastic engine and never stops. How does he do it?"

Keeping top-scored for Newport from midfield last season and it took him just 27 minutes to get off the mark for Bash, making an angled run to the near post to head in Dave Wakefield's cross.

The Foresters paid for not building on that lead - having equalised with a Steve Harper header from a corner, the Hillians hit the bar twice in quick succession.

But Bash began to give as good as they got and Aaron Cook's thumping effort was tipped away brilliantly before Martin Whiddett won it with five minutes left, using his strength to get in ahead of a defender and force a loose ball home.

Bash now sit tenth in the table and Robson, who was last night due to speak to Moneyfields' versatile defender James Dunk, said: "A lot of clubs get nothing from Burgess Hill but this keeps us in the promotion hunt."