Army man Shaun Hale put Bashley under fire at the Recreation Ground last night as Fleet Town marched into the Dr Martens League Cup second round.

With manager John Robson again absent on scouting duties, the New Forest hosts went down 2-1 for their third defeat in a row.

Hale, who had missed Fleet's previous three games because of military commitments, came back firing on all cylinders and headed home the opener on 27 minutes after Steve Whitcher had nodded on an Ian Saunders cross.

With 67 minutes gone, Hale turned provider, crossing in hard and low from the left for former Saints Academy striker Shea Saunders to sneak between two defenders and score. Bashley replied in the 90th minute when Michael Jackson headed down Aaron Cook's delivery and fired home.

Delighted Fleet manager Mick Catlin said: "We played really well. It was probably our best performance of the season. What was good was that we actually deserved to win, it wasn't as if we were hanging on."

Eastleigh will attempt to join Fleet in the second round draw when they take on Eastern Division rivals Burnham at Ten Acres tonight (7.45).

Former Totton goalkeeper Wayne Shaw again dons the gloves in place of suspended Colin Matthews after a clean sheet at Rothwell on Saturday.

Flu victim Kevin Gibbens has added his name to an already lengthy casualty list containing Chris Collins (dead leg), Paul Sales (groin), Danny Woods (ankle) and Danny Rofe (groin). Assistant manager David Hughes is likely to be rested again so that he's fit to face Erith & Belvedere away in the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Manager Paul Doswell said: "We've suffered a terrible crop of injuries again and I think the hard grounds have got a lot to do with it. We don't want it to rain tonight because we want a decent crowd, but I hope it pours down after that."