PROUD Bashley manager Barry Blankley has paid tribute to his unbeaten Eastern Division table-toppers ahead of tomorrow's visit of Histon (1pm).

Despite playing three-quarters of Tuesday's game at Langney with defender Simon James in goal after Geoff Sim pulled a thigh muscle, the Foresters kept cool to force a 1-1 draw and move three points clear at the summit.

"The spirit in the camp is second to none and that was proved at Langney where everyone worked together to protect Simon," said Blankley. "I'm extremely proud of them because they played with a lot of intelligence and big hearts to get that result.

"People are not just doing their individual jobs, they are pulling together as a team."

Bashley already have Bridport's ex-Weymouth number one Martin Peters signed on for emergency purposes but are also hoping to register Combined Services keeper Dean May from Dorchester.

Hero James is out tomorrow with a one-match suspension but fit-again pair Dave Goss and Roy Young are back in the equation, along with Jorge Diaz who has completed a five-week ban.

Over 1,000 tickets have already been sold for Salisbury manager Geoff Butler's testimonial against West Ham on Monday (8pm) - but first there is tomorrow's DML showdown with Bath (12.30pm) to attend to.

Phil Corcoran's availability is the only doubt for the high-riding Whites who lie fourth in the Premier Division.

Newport have splashed out on an overnight stay for tomorrow's 1pm Eastern Division kick-off at Spalding with manager Tony Mount explaining: "I'd try anything to win an away game!"

It was damaging defeats at places like Spalding and Wisbech that cost the Islanders promotion last season and Mount said: "If travelling on a Friday proves successful, then it's something we'll do a bit more for the longer away trips. The players are all paying towards the hotel, so it's not a huge outlay for the club."

Suspended midfielder Steve Moss misses out and there are question marks over John Price (back), Steve Leigh (ankle), Danny Rose (foot), Karl Lis (ankle) and Gary Sperry (hamstring). Goalkeeper Colin Matthews is also a doubt due to personal problems, so Ian Lloyd travels.

Isle of Wight-based striker Jamie O'Rourke could again keep top-scorer James Taylor out of the starting line-up as Havant & Waterlooville take on Newport County at Westleigh Park (12.30pm).

Bitterne-based Taylor was dropped to the bench last Saturday as O'Rourke took centre stage with a two-goal contribution to the 4-1 FA Cup win at Carterton.

Skipper Gary MacDonald (groin) and Shaun Gale (ankle) are expected to pass fitness tests.

Basingstoke's injury crisis has deepened ahead of tomorrow's Ryman Premier trip to St Albans (1pm). Defender Chris Honor was stretchered off on Tuesday with ankle ligament damage, Taffy Richardson has a dead leg and Steve Baker missed the FA Cup replay defeat at Bath through illness.

Striker Adie Mings has a fighting chance of recovering from ankle trouble.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.