Reliability in front of goal usually goes hand in hand with the name of Bashley skipper Craig Davis.

But, for once, the free-scoring midfielder was out of sorts at Stamford on Saturday where he made a costly penalty miss as the Foresters stumbled to a 1-0 defeat. Trailing at half-time, Bash got just what the doctor ordered two minutes into the second half when Dennis Rhule was adjudged to have brought down Andy Culliford in the box.

After their 3-1 midweek beating at Eastleigh, the Foresters badly needed a goal to lift their spirits, but Davis's kick was saved by keeper Ludek Michalik, diving to his right.

With time running out, Bash assistant boss Ricky Haysom - in charge while John Robson was away on a scouting mission - threw on new frontline signing Martin Whiddett and switched to three at the back.

It was a gamble that so nearly paid off with the former AFC Totton striker heading a good chance over from Mat Jones's free-kick with just four minutes remaining.

It was Stamford who wound up celebrating, courtesy of a breakaway 31st-minute goal by Lincoln City work experience lad Adam Kurley, which Bashley were convinced was offside.

Kurley had earlier smacked an overhead against the foot of 'keeper Mike Hookway's post, but Haysom felt Bash were hard done by.

He said: "It's really disappointing. Their goal was scandalous, it really was. The lad was clearly offside and everyone stood still, but the linesman didn't flag. "The penalty just after half-time was crucial. It was just what we wanted but, unfortunately, Craig hit it at a saveable height and the 'keeper turned it round."

"I'm gutted and I said to the lads afterwards you've lost to a side who weren't as good as you were."

While Bashley are fifth, their midweek conquerors Eastleigh have shifted up to third courtesy of a 1-0 win at Rothwell.

It was ex-Saint Christer Warren who got the points in the bag with a goal three minutes before half-time and there could have been more for the Ten Acres crew but for the thickness of the woodwork. Rob Marshall and Kevin Gibbens both smacked headers against the crossbar and substitute Dave Greening clipped the top of the bar late on.

Nicky Banger also brought two great saves out of the 'keeper as Paul Doswell's classy collection of players showed their pedigree. Director of football Mark Dennis said: "We were never, ever in trouble. It was a different sort of performance to the one against Bashley on Wednesday.

"It was a scrappy game, but we were very hardworking and played well defensively. When you go to these sort of places you've got to win the personal battles and grind out a result."

Newport IoW's unbeaten home record was wrecked 2-1 by a double helping of Spice. From leading 1-0 against Sittingbourne at the break, Port were sunk by a second-half brace from Bradley Spice - the man who had put the skids under Eastleigh a week earlier.

Former Peterborough United man Adam Lang lifted the spirits of the 275 crowd with a 30th-minute free-kick that went in off the post.

But lack of concentration cost Newport dear early in the second half as Spice hit them with two quick goals inside five minutes.

"We lost very tamely," said Tate. "It was a funny old game with no atmosphere and our players were very flat.

"We were in control until that costly five-minute spell and then we huffed and puffed but couldn't get ourselves back into it.

"I'd like to say Sittingbourne deserved the win, but they didn't. The game was dead."

Injury-hit Fleet Town were held to a 0-0 home draw by Dartford - their nearest efforts coming from Steve Whitcher, a new frontline signing from Hamble ASSC.