BOURNEMOUTH boy Danny Gibbons grabbed the headlines away from Southampton-based striking partner Paul Sales as Bash continued their Dr Martens League Eastern Division promotion charge at Spalding.

With immediate title rivals Salisbury, Banbury, Dorchester, Eastbourne and Tonbridge all picking up maximum points, Gibbons ensured Bashley stayed among the pack as he headed home the clincher 10 minutes from time after substitute Graeme Gee had opened the scoring just before half-time.

Former Newport IOW man Gibbons has recently been eclipsed in the goalscoring stakes by Sales who had netted four goals in his previous four games following his return from a three-month injury lay-off.

But Gibbons showed he has no intention of becoming the silent partner in Barry Blankley's attack with an industrious display against the struggling Tulips.

Assistant boss and substitute Fraser Quirke said: "It was nice for Danny to come to the fore a bit.

"He's the sort of player you want to see do well, he's so honest and what you see is what you get. His work-rate is superb and it was good for him to get on the scoresheet once again. Danny never lets his head drop and he got his just reward for another tireless display."

He added: "It was so important we won with the other teams around us also winning. We have got the top three teams in succession over Christmas and although nothing's ever going to be decided this early on, I think what happens in those games will have a major bearing on how things work out."

Stuart Hussey was taken for X-rays after being stretchered off in the first-half following a Spalding tackle.

Bashley: Elm, Cook, Darnton, Mat Jones, Lisk, Hussey (Gee, 25), Robson, Davis, Anstey, Sales (Gillespie, 81), Gibbons. Unused subs: Mark Jones, Connolly, Quirke.