RICHARD Gillespie grabbed the winner and his 10th goal of the season as Bashley comfortably disposed of Ashford Town to progress to the first round proper of the FA Trophy.

And Bash boss Geoff Butler was pleased with the outcome, although he believed the margin of the victory should have been bigger. "We did very well indeed and we dominated the whole of the game apart from the last few minutes when they had a go," said Butler.

"It didn't seem to matter what we did in the first half though, we got it wrong.

"There seemed to be no sort of quality in the last third of the field at all.

"We made life very easy for their defenders but, in the second half we came out and did a lot better and scored a couple of good goals."

Bash had two golden opportunities to take the lead in the opening half but failed on both occasions.

Danny Gibbons found himself in a one-on-one situation with the Ashford keeper, but shot straight at him.

Andy Culliford was then put through in a similar position but again, the finish wasn't there and the visiting goalkeeper was able to make a comfortable save.

With 11 minutes of the second period over though, at last the breakthrough came for the New Foresters.

Paul Gazzard delivered a decent cross into the box and when Danny Gibbons flicked a header on, Graeme Gee had a simple tap in at the far post from six yards out.

Bash doubled their advantage 10 minutes later, with Gibbons once again playing a big part in the move.

Following a corner, Gibbons' excellent header was cleared off the line brilliantly by an Ashford defender but in-form striker Richard Gillespie's razor sharp reactions saw him find the back of the net with fierce determination.

It was as comfortable as the scoreline suggested at that stage but in the final 15 minutes of the cup-tie the Kent side had nothing to lose, so poured everyone forward in search of one goal back.

With just three minutes remaining Barry Gardner rifled in a superb shot from the edge of the Bash penalty area, giving goalkeeper David Elm no chance in goal.

The New Forest side were then up against it for the final few minutes butdeservedly held on for a victory where the scoreline flattered the visitors.

Bashley will now face Conference South outfit Hayes away in the first round proper on November 6, a game Butler is relishing.

He said: "Of course it will be a test for us but we're looking forward to it and it's just nice to still be in the competition."

Bash: Elm, Gazzard, Ferrett, Thomas, Jones, Culliford, Gee, Wakefield, Gibbons (Totczyk 80), Gillespie, Mamadousa (Lilley 80). Unused subs: Harper, Head.