DORCHESTER'S back-up goal

keeper David Elm is on the verge of joining Dr Martens Eastern Division promotion rivals Bashley for a five figure fee.

Magpies' chairman Eddie Belt said today that the two clubs had agreed an undisclosed transfer fee - thought to be over £5,000 - for the giant 22-year-old stopper who is now discussing personal terms with the New Forest outfit.

The former Swanage Town goalkeeper, who had trials with Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday as a teenager and later won a battle with cancer, had a spell on loan at Bashley towards the end of last season and impressed with a series of clean sheets as they rocketed up the table to finish in the top six.

He returned to the Magpies this season but has again found himself in the shadow of the more experienced former Brighton and Woking gloveman Mark Ormerod, recently voted the country's best non-league goalkeeper by fans on a computer website.

Elm signed for the Magpies in May 2000 after reserve team boss Phil Simkin alerted them to his potential following a brilliant display against his side in a Dorset Combination League game.

But in more than two seasons he has played only 15 first team games - including one memorable FA Cup appearance when he saved a penalty against Weymouth at the Wessex Stadium - and Belt admitted that Elm was beginning to get fed up with playing second fiddle.

"We would like to keep David because we believe he is a good goalkeeper who could get even better," said Belt. "But when Bashley approached us with an offer we thought it would be unfair to stand in the way of him getting regular first team football by saying to him you must stay here and keep waiting for your chance.

"We didn't accept their first bid because we did not think it was enough, but they came back with an improved figure and the board have accepted it with a knock-on clause that would give us a percentage of any fee Bashley might receive for him should he move on up the ladder.

"Considering he has come up through our reserves and didn't cost us anything, we believe we have done well on the deal. But it is not only about money because we now have our finances on a good footing and we also have another good young goalkeeper in our reserves in Dan Claxton who has been getting favourable reports and also had some Dr Martens League experience with Weymouth

"However this will give Mark (Morris) a little bit of extra cash to go out and sign another player, which could be vital now we have lost Matt Lonnon for the rest of the season."