MICHAEL Jackson will be rewarded with a contract this week after playing a star role in Bashley's first league away win of the season.

The 22-year-old former King's Somborne striker, described as a "rough diamond" by caretaker boss Derek Binns, scored the first goal and made the second in a terrific 2-1 result at Rothwell Town which lifts the Foresters to third from bottom of the Eastern Division table.

Bash forged ahead on 12 minutes having survived an early scare when Rothwell captain Dean Foley jinked past three defenders only to shoot straight at keeper Ollie Rastall.

Anthony Tilley was the architect and Romsey-based Jackson did the rest, controlling the ball on his chest before thumping home his first senior goal.

Mark Blake and Fraser Quirke could have added to the lead before Rothwell regained their composure to go close through Grant Mawby.

With 27 minutes gone Jackson had a lucky escape at one end when his defensive header from a corner forced the impressive Rastall into a fine save. The quick-thinking keeper promptly threw the ball out for Jackson, who set up 19-year-old striker Stuart Cooper (pictured top left) to run on and plant the ball past John Hughes in the Rothwell goal.

Cooper, who requested a transfer last week after being left out of the side, was restored to the starting line-up in place of expectant dad Stuart Hussey and Binns said: "I'll need to talk to him, but as far as I'm concerned he's in my plans."

Three minutes after Cooper's strike, Rothwell got back into the game when Bashley waited in vain for the offside trap and debut striker Ashley Warner, a new signing from Corby, punished their hesitancy.

Cooper and Craig Davis went closest to scoring for the Foresters after the break, but Rastall was the star man with a string of magnificent saves, capped by one from Warner who had taken advantage of Ali Simpson's slip.

For Binns, it was the perfect end to his first league game back in charge. He said: "We showed superb character, grit and determination. It was a very hungry performance and the players got what they deserved."

Two second-half Timmy Hambley goals hauled Havant & Waterlooville up to third in the Premier Division courtesy of a 2-0 win at Stafford Rangers.

For all Stafford's first-half possession, Pompey legend Alan Knight had precious little to do in the Hawks goal and the home side lived to regret that after the break. Hawks' first goal came on 57 minutes when Gary Connolly's smart free-kick found Hambley on the left and the H&W skipper turned on a sixpence and fired across the keeper from a difficult angle.

Hambley, who also hit the woodwork from 25 yards, doubled the lead on 87 minutes by hooking home Chris Ferrett's corner on the half-volley.

Suspended player/co-manager Liam Daish, one of half a dozen first-teamers to have missed the game, said: "It was a battling display and sets us up nicely for our top-of-the-table clash at home to Tamworth next Saturday, which is what we've had our eyes on for some time."