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."

A last-minute goal by substitute Steve Strong gave Salisbury the points in a 2-1 win over Ashford Town, getting them back on track after losing their six- match unbeaten run at Histon.

Salisbury could have gone ahead in the first minute when Josh Thomas missed a close-range header.

But the Whites, who missed several other chances, had to thank keeper Kevin Sawyer several times as he denied Ashford an opener.

Craig Davis finally put Salisbury ahead on 62 minutes, tapping in after good work by Stuart James and Josh Thomas.

But, 13 minutes later, Ashford stunned the 591 home crowd when Powell was given time to turn in the box and blast the ball past Sawyer.

Salisbury then made wholesale changes and this paid off when Strong combined with Glenn Howes to net his late, late winner.

Strong said: "Last week at Histon, we played well and got nothing but, today, managed to get all three points although we didn't peform at our best.

"We've got to continue winning at home as we've got some difficult away games coming up."

Newport are down to 14th, having picked up just two points since the club went into receivership. But there was no doubting their spirit at Burnham on Saturday, where Port came back from 4-1 down to lose 4-3 with ten men.

Having cancelled Michael Bartley's opener with a 38th-minute Adam Barsell goal, the Islanders had Justin Hughes sent off for a professional foul after 53 minutes and went 2-1 down from Terry Davies's spot-kick.

The loss of Steve Bonser to a hamstring injury further disrupted them and, within 15 minutes, Terry Mitchell and Steve Lockhart had made it 4-1 to Burnham.

Newport, though, refused to buckle as they had against Banbury the previous week and, having hit back through Ian Stevens and Barsdell, they so nearly grabbed a point when Danny Hatcher was denied by a terrific late save.

There is now real hope that Newport's new owner(s) will be unveiled tomorrow after a series of delays over the announcement. Senior player/caretaker manager Ian Buckman said: "I know it's been said before but they do seem confident that Tuesday's the day. That news lifted us before the game and the lads performed with a lot of heart.

"By the time we'd regrouped with ten men, we were 4-1 down but we made sure we didn't fall apart and played some good stuff."