John Robson thoroughly enjoyed his debut as Bashley manager, even though the Foresters frittered away a two-goal lead against Marlow in the FA Trophy preliminary round.

From sitting pretty on first-half goals from Richard Gillespie and Michael Jackson, Bash were pegged back to 2-2 by their Ryman League visitors and have it all to do again in tomorrow's replay.

Although he was officially appointed successor to Barry Blankley two weeks ago, a family holiday prevented Robson from taking up the reins until Saturday and he admitted: "The players have had a lot of ups and downs recently what with Barry leaving and so many injuries in the camp and, taking everything into account, I'm pleased with their response.

"I've only had three sessions with them, but they''re a super bunch of lads and I'm fortunate it should be like that."

Bash took just nine minutes to edge ahead when Jackson flicked on skipper Craig Davis's throw for young Gillespie to head home at the near post. Jackson got the second himself on 24 minutes with a superb header from a free kick.

But, from a position of power, Bash took their foot off the gas and blew their chance of avenging defeat by Marlow at the same stage of the competition last year.

John Beale's header and a Shane Small free-kick levelled the scores before Marlow's Bobby Wilkinson saw red with 12 minutes to go.

Bash almost nicked it, but Davis's 'winner' was ruled out by the linesman's flag against Gillespie, who was running back on-side.

Robson reflected: "Sometimes a new manager has to wait five or six games to see the good and bad sides of his team but for me it happened all in one match.

"We had an outstanding 45 minutes and for the other 45 we were just standing!

"It wasn't poor play, it was just that we came off our game instead of imposing ourselves and Marlow decided to have a go at us. It was more to do with our attitude than ability."

Trophy debutants Eastleigh are safely through to the first round after beating Great Wakering Rovers 3-0 at Ten Acres.

It earns Paul Doswell's men a November 1 trip to Dr Martens Eastern Division rivals Erith & Belvedere, who they knocked out of the FA Cup during their Wessex hey-day last season.

Kevin Gibbens got the show on the road with his first goal for the club in the 24th minute. Young defender Robbie Chamberlain launched a long throw which was flicked on by Paul Sales for the ex-Saint to tuck away.

After 54 minutes Tyronne Bowers, a summer signing from Salisbury, gave a glimpse of his potential with a cracking shot from the edge of the box.

Bowers, who has taken time to settle at his new club, celebrated with some trademark back-flips and Doswell smiled: "The more of those I see this season the better."

It wasn't all one-way traffic as skipper Daniel Scopes and Glen Bennett went close for Great Wakering, but Eastleigh killed the tie off when David Hughes made a late run to finish off a left-wing delivery from fellow ex-Saint Nicky Banger.

Great Wakering had been thumped 9-0 the previous week, but Doswell admitted: "They weren't that bad a side and I was at pains to tell the lads not to underestimate them because they'd had that poor result.

"When I spoke to their manager he said they'd had nine or ten players out for that game, but quite a few of them were back against us."

The down side of Eastleigh's day was losing midfielder Danny Woods again to an ankle injury after just ten minutes.