MARTIN Whiddett's impressive midweek run-out for Totton may have earned him a place back in Bashley's starting line-up at Burgess Hill Town tomorrow.

The 32-year-old won the equalising penalty and scored the winner himself to help his old club, Totton, pull off a shock 3-2 victory over Wessex League title-chasers Gosport Borough on Tuesday night.

Bashley boss John Robson was in the crowd that evening and was delighted with what he saw. After a week away, Whiddett had made only a ten-minute appearance off the Bash bench against Dartford last Saturday and was in need of a sharpener.

Robson said: "The commitment Martin showed forced Browner (Gosport 'keeper Mark Brown) into a couple of mistakes and that turned the game for Totton. The lad doesn't know how not to try and that's why I rate him so highly.

"I spoke to Gosport's coach Hughie Doyle afterwards and he said he wished he had Martin down there. Even though he's been out, he never loses his fitness, he just needed a bit of match sharpness."

Mid-table Bash, still unbeaten in 2004, have new midfield signing Gareth Keeping ready to make his debut after serving a one-match suspension for bookings accrued with Newport IoW.

Fourth-placed Salisbury City are still very much in the promotion frame despite seeing their 16-game unbeaten league run halted 2-1 at title rivals Histon last Saturday.

On paper, they should get back to winning ways at home to mid-table Ashford tomorrow, but manager Nick Holmes believes the whole league has improved this year.

He said: "It'd be nice to go on another long unbeaten run, but this is a much better league than it was 12 months ago and there are a lot more upsets.

"Whereas last season there were three or four ragged teams, sides are better organised this year. Fleet, for example, are down at the bottom, but Mick Catlin's got them trying to play football and, when they're on the ball, they're a decent side."

Salisbury are one of five, possibly six clubs, beginning to break away at the top and Holmes said: "The sides up there are definitely the best and, on any given day, they're all capable of beating each other.

"Tonbridge, Histon and King's Lynn have a bit of a run on us because they started the season better. We'll do our best to win the league. If not, we'll try and make sure we've got a top-seven promotion place."

Striker Adam Wallace and midfielder Wayne Turk return tomorrow after one-match suspensions and Steve Strong trained in midweek following a bout of flu. Fellow flu victim John Purches is still doubtful.