Bashley are on the move back up the Dr Martens Eastern Division table after taking a maximum six points in a sizzling start to the new year.

But any player tempted to rest on his laurels following Saturday's 1-0 win over Ashford Town will need to think again now that Newport duo Stuart Cannie and Gareth Keeping are being brought in to stiffen up competition at the Recreation Ground.

Although Bash should have at least trebled Dave Wakefield's 37th-minute winner, they almost threw the game away in the closing stages, surviving two penalty shouts against skipper Aaron Cook and watching with relief as Paul Gazzard got back to block a clearcut opportunity for Ashford's pint-sized striker Joby Thorogood.

"We made hard work of it today through bad finishing. We've got a defence we can rely on, but we can't afford for them to be put under that sort of pressure because we've given the ball away cheaply," said Robson.

"We had a few tired legs in the middle of the park, mainly through lack of games - and it showed."

As a sharpener, Robson has organised a friendly against Lymington Town tomorrow night and both midfielder Keeping and striker Cannie are expected to play, provided their Newport contracts have been cancelled.

Cannie steps in for Michael Jackson, who has had to leave the club because of work commitments, while Keeping replaces midfield/striker Stuart Hussey, who has signed for Winchester City.

Robson will not hesitate to make further changes if he feels he is not getting full value for money from his current collection.

He stressed: "The players at Bashley are being well looked after and I want to see them showing their worth on the park. I won't take any less than 100 per cent.

"These boys get well cared for by the club and when you want a bit back for 90 minutes a week, it's not a tall order for playing the game they love."

After Wakefield's dancing feet had fired Bashley ahead from just inside the area, the Foresters should have taken the game by the scruff of the neck.

Gillespie - five-goal hero of the 5-1 New Year's Day win at Fleet - never looked quite as threatening this time, yet he made one wasted chance and missed a sitter of his own in the second half.

With 56 minutes gone, the 19-year-old Romsey lad skipped past stranded 'keeper John Whitehouse, who had raced outside his area, and crossed for Danny Gibbons, who planted a free header over.

Ten minutes later Gillespie was put clean through by defender Andy Darnton but saw his shot rebound off the inside of the post.

"Gillespie and Gibbons both said in the dressing room afterwards that they should have scored," said Robson.

"They weren't just half chances, they were gilt-edged and if they'd gone in, we would have been able to relax and enjoy the match instead of being on the rack.

"Ashford had a couple of penalty appeals towards the end and I thought the handball was probably a good shout.

"Gillespie was not quite as bright as he was against Fleet, but Gibbons worked really hard again and we had Dave Wakefield's quick feet and good finish to thank for the three points."