BUBBLING Bashley are riding high in fourth in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division after stretching their unbeaten start to seven games at Erith & Belvedere last night.

Their 1-0 triumph was settled on 11 minutes when Paul Masters' strong run was intercepted and the loose ball fell to Dave Puckett, who fed Jimmy Anderson to fire home.

Unfortunately for Anderson, his contribution to the game was cut short after half an hour when he limped off after a rash challenge from Jamie Kempster - an offence which got the Erith man sent off.

Bash dominated the remainder of the first half but came under pressure in the second with Andy Darnton forced into a goalline clearance.

The Foresters also had their chances - substitute Ali Simpson shooting wide and Puckett twice denied by the keeper.

The result leaves Barry Blankley's men just a point behind league leaders Baldock and trailing Chelmsford and Stamford on goal difference.

Towering goalkeeper Colin Matthews was the unlikely match winner of Newport's 1-0 Eastern Division success at Langney Sports.

The 6ft 7in giant launched a massive drop kick early in the second half which bounced on the edge of the area and flew straight over his opposite number into the top corner.

"I've never seen that happen before," marvelled Island boss Tony Mount, whose side had to hang on with nine men after striker Steve Tate was sent off for a 65th-minute confrontation and midfielder Danny Rofe also saw red for a second bookable offence ten minutes later.

The Islanders, now fifth, were also without influential defender Steve Riley and, despite his disappointment with the refereeing, Mount smiled: "The boys showed tremendous character to get through those last 15 minutes."

There were fireworks at AFC Totton where two players were sent off in a lively 2-2 draw against Wimborne.

Stags' defender Stuart Ritchie was the first to see red after Guy Dipper had fired the Magpies ahead.

Ten-man Totton equalised with a Kevin Reacord cross-shot but, within a minute, Wimborne had regained the lead through Paul Alford.

In a grandstand finish Alex Totten levelled for the home side before Wimborne's Gareth Barnes was red-carded for stamping.

League leaders Lymington & New Milton needed a 37th-minute Leigh Phillips penalty to tame Whit-church 1-0 at Fawcett's Field and they remain six points clear of Andover, who bludgeoned Black-field 7-1 through five-goal Andy Forbes, Vince Rusher and David Asker.

Third-placed Fleet were defeated for the second time in four days, slumping 1-0 to a 60th-minute Steve Batten strike at surprise packages Hamble ASSC, who celebrated their first win of the season.

Brockenhurst edged Swanage 3-2 thanks to Ben Thompson, Mark Dancer and Tim Constable, while Hugh Whorrisky (3), Anthony Alleyne and Paul Odey led Newbury's 5-0 crushing of Christchurch.

Rob Thornley was the hero as Bournemouth scraped through their FA Carlsberg Vase replay at Calne Town on penalties.

Thornley scored Poppies' equaliser in a 1-1 draw after extra-time and then bagged the 6-5 shoot-out decider. Bournemouth are now away to St Blazey.

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