ANDY Darnton looks to be the next of the Bashley 'old guard' to leave the struggling Dr Martens Eastern Division outfit.

The Southampton-based defender, who was club captain last season and was voted players' player for two years running, has been transfer-listed by mutual consent after being told he didn't figure in the Foresters' plans.

Bash have already parted company with experienced trio Jimmy Anderson, Graeme Gee and Phil Andrews this season and the last straw for 32-year-old Darnton was being overlooked for last Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Banbury, even though the Foresters were without Mark Blake, Gary Funnell and Anthony Tilley.

"As a player with over 500 league games behind me at this level, I felt I should have been involved," said Darnton. "Reserve football's no good to me. Ideally, I'd like to carry on playing at Dr Martens level."

Bash, who have been linked with Brockenhurst's former Harrow Borough striker Charlie Richards, travel to Dorchester tonight in the Dr Martens League Cup.

Newport defender Steve Riley is undergoing a cartilage operation today instead of lining up against Havant & Waterlooville in the DML Cup at Westleigh Park.

The injury-hit Islanders also have Ben Thomson waiting to see a specialist about knee problems but, for once, manager Tony Mount is optimistic of naming an unchanged side from the one that triumphed 2-1 at Hednesford on Saturday.

Steve Tate, who was ill on the coach to the Midlands, is added to the squad along with young striker Shane Jones.

H&W, reeling from three successive defeats, could be without influential player/manager Liam Daish, who has a leg injury.

Salisbury will run the rule over Backwell United striker Ryan King in the DML Cup at Weymouth, but defender Graeme Mathie may be required to play for AFC Bournemouth reserves.

Whites' ex-Fulham 'keeper James Bittner could also miss the trip to have trials with Nationwide Division 1 outfit Gillingham.

Whitchurch, home to Totton in the Jewson Wessex League tonight, have appointed 44-year-old ex-AFC Bournemouth and Newport County striker Howard Goddard as their new manager.

Goddard moves up from Hampshire League Division 2 club Broughton and replaces John Mas, who has been appointed director of football.

Brockenhurst travel to Sandhurst Town in the FA Vase second round replay tonight knowing that a trip to Ryman Division 3 leaders Croydon Athletic awaits the winners on December 8.

The Badgers, who were lucky to survive Saturday's 4-4 home draw, are still waiting to hear if ex-Bashley boss Barry Blankley will agree to become their director of football. They have midfielder Jimmy Sheppard suspended tonight.

Wimborne Town, whose defender Paul Roast is wanted by Salisbury City, face by far the toughest Vase task at home to holders Taunton Town.

Southern section ties: Croydon Athletic v Brockenhurst or Sandhurst Town, Thamesmead Town v Bemerton Heath Harlequins, Great Wakering Rovers v Thatcham Town, Moneyfields v Porthleven, Lewes v Hallen, Cowes Sports v Tiptree Utd, Leyton Pennant v Mildenhall Town, Ash Utd v Stotfold, Wimborne Town v Taunton Town, AFC Wallingford v Abingdon Town, Team Bath v Arlesey Town, AFC Sudbury v Berkhamsted Town, Dorking v Kingsbury Town, Banstead Athletic v Dereham Town, Tilbury or Barton Rovers v Wroxham, Melksham Town v St Neots Town, Burgess Hill Town v Selsey.