BASHLEY manager Geoff Butler's quest for a new central defender has so far led him down a blind alley but he insists the hunt remains his top priority.

The new boss, installed in June, is beginning to piece together a squad from the depleted remnants he inherited and so far, his charges have come up with the goods.

A fine opening day victory at Croydon last week was followed by a 0-0 draw with Corinthian Casuals in midweek, leaving Bash sitting pretty in the top six for now.

However, cover at the back is proving a worry.

Danny Bailey, who played under Butler at Weymouth, recommended ex-Crystal Palace youngster Andrew Julius and he has plugged the defensive hole for the first two games.

But by the Bash boss's own admission, he is likely only to be a stop gap due to the travelling involved so the search is ongoing for a solution closer to home.

The former Weymouth manager was hoping to bring in one of his stalwarts from his time at the Wessex Stadium, Mark Kenway, but travel commitments have again proved the stumbling block.

David Goss, one of Winchester City's regulars in their incredible treble-winning campaign last season, is also a target, but has surprised Butler with a rebuttal.

Butler said: "They've got a huge squad at Winchester with six centre halves there and he's not getting a game.

"They've got Darren Powell and Toby Redwood out injured at the moment and he still wasn't used in the game against Downton in midweek.

"It seems strange as we've been given permission to speak to David but he believes he figures in their plans. I can understand the spirit and atmosphere there must be like a family after what they achieved last year but the bottom line is we're offering him the chance to move up a level.

"He told me he might get back to us in a month but I can't be waiting around, a centre half is a priority right now and I will keep on looking."

Dulwich Hamlet are the visitors to the Recreation Ground tomorrow (August 21 3pm) and Bash will be hoping they can put in a similar performance to their midweek effort with one crucial addition, goals.

"After the first 20 minutes, I wondered how many we would win by," said Butler.

"But we just needed that little bit of quality when it mattered on one of any number of occasions."

Bashley: (from) Elm, Kabir, Ferrett, Gee, Julius, Jones, Gee, Adams, Culliford, Gibbons, Gillespie, Grant, Wakefield, Mamadousa, Harper, Lilley.