'This is a nine-pointer!'

The north Hampshire side are four points adrift at the foot of the table - and nine behind their Isle of Wight visitors - but the ex-Saint reckons a win tomorrow will provide a vital foothold to safety.

He said: "Normally you talk about a six-pointer in football, but I reckon this is a nine-pointer. Whoever wins this, I believe, will get out of trouble.

"Our lads will be really wound up for this one. It's a great opportunity to get a result and it could be the kick-off to our new year."

Nothing's gone right for Dennis and his side-kick Adi Aymes since they took over at Calthorpe Park two months ago with the club already deep in trouble in their first season back from Wessex League.

Their latest set-back was losing goalkeeper Simon Arthur to a broken ankle at Sittingbourne last Saturday.

Dennis had hoped experienced former Southampton, Andover and Basingstoke keeper Dean Beale could help them out of a hole, but he admitted: "Dean's only been playing the occasional charity match and he's nowhere near fit enough to be thrown in at this standard."

One option for Fleet would have been former Bashley keeper Ollie Rastall, who has returned to the country from America. Rastall, though, has linked up with his old Bash boss Pete Moore at Brockenhurst.

While Newport's league form has picked up appreciably, the Islanders seriously blotted their copybook on Tuesday, crashing out of the DML Cup 7-1 to Tiverton.

Player-boss Steve Tate welcomes Steve Riley and Mark Preston back to the fold looking for a vast improvement on what he dubbed: "The most embarrassing game in my short spell as a manager."

Bashley's midweek Hampshire Senior Cup tie against Winchester City was interrupted by the appearance of a streaker at Bashley Road, which had manager Barry Blankley chuckling: "He showed more pace than some of our lads!"

But, despite their 2-1 extra-time victory over the Hampshire League sensations, it was no laughing matter that several of Bashley's players had off-nights - particularly in the first half.

Second-placed Banbury United are due at Bashley Road tomorrow for an Eastern Division summit meeting and Blankley stressed: "I've warned the lads that they can't afford to give teams a 45-minute start.

"We've been consistent most of the season, but when we have a off day it's not just two or three of them who under-perform, it's eight or nine."

If the Bash boys fail to heed Blankley's warning, Banbury have just the man to punish them.

French strike sensation Norman Sylla currently leads the Eastern Division scoring charts with 20 goals and is having trials with Premiership giants Chelsea.

"People tell me his biggest strength is his pace. And if they put a ball over the top he's on it straight away," said Blankley.

The Foresters will be without suspended skipper and midfield general Darren Robson, while Stuart Hussey is sidelined with knee ligament damage.

Eastern Division top-dogs Salisbury moved a point clear of Banbury with a 0-0 midweek home draw against Rothwell.

The Whites, home again tomorrow to lowly Spalding, could have a couple of new faces on the scene in preparation for a suspension-hit Christmas.

Top scorer Adam Wallace misses Newport IoW's Boxing Day visit while Wayne Turk and Matt Davies must sit out next Saturday's trip to Rothwell.

On the plus side, the Whites have had remarkably few injuries this season with assistant boss Tommy Killick pointing out: "We've been very fortunate on that score.

"I think the most we've been missing is one definite starting player. If we can stay injury free, we might be in with a shout."

Havant & Waterlooville have an injury and illness crisis for tomorrow's Premier Division assignment at Folkestone Invicta.

Alec Masson (bronchial virus), Neil Champion (stomach strain), Timmy Hambley (flu) and Luke Middleton (thigh strain) are all struggling, while midfielder Bobby Howe sits out a one-match suspension.

"This is where the squad comes into play," said co-manager Mick Jenkins.