BASHLEY will not be rushed into appointing a successor to departed manager Barry Blankley.

On the evidence of Saturday's handsome victory, they are doing just fine under the temporary charge of former player Ricky Haysom, who returned to the club in the summer as a coach/scout.

The shock of Blankley's departure undoubtedly contributed to their 1-0 FA Cup downfall at Dartford last Sunday, but that renowned Bash team spirit was back in full swing at the Recreation Ground where hapless Hastings United were torn apart 5-0.

Wimborne boss Paul Arnold, ex-Pompey midfielder Warren Aspinall and ex-Fleet manager Steve Beeks have all been linked with the vacant post, but Forest lips are remaining tightly sealed.

Director of football Derek Binns, who is working side by side with Haysom, confirmed: "We've had about six applications in and we've advertised locally and nationally.

"There's no deadline for applications. Team morale is good and we don't need to rush things. We haven't got a league game for a couple of weeks and Ricky is doing a superb job for us at the moment. We're going to take our time. The most important thing is to get the right person."

It was Andy Culliford, making his first appearance of the season, who got victory under way with a goal after just nine minutes.

Skipper Craig Davis marked his return from a hamstring injury by hurling over a throw from the right, Danny Gibbons and Richard Gillespie nodded it on and Culliford was there to loop a close-range header over keeper Matt Brown.

Bash almost made it two in the 17th minute when Davis clipped a teasing ball across goal, but defender James Penfold managed to hook it to safety before young Gillespie could pounce.

The Foresters didn't have it all their own way and it needed sharp reactions by keeper David Elm to get his hand to Ryan Peters' wickedly dipping 20-yarder in the 25th minute.

Bash were not looking too clever in defence at that stage, but Aaron Cook - fresh from signing a new two-year contract - provided a cool head when they needed it most.

Binns said: "Ideally I'd like a loud person back there. Cooky's very quiet, but he does the job and just gets on with it."

A second Foresters' goal relieved the pressure as Gillespie set up Wakefield for a crisp, low 32-minute strike and, five minutes later, Danny Gibbons, the sponsors' man-of-the-match, headed home Gary Connolly's corner to give Bash a comfy three-goal cushion at the break.

Elm, who has reclaimed the number one shirt from Simon Arthur, resisted Mark Lovell's attempt to lob him with another good tip-over in the 49th minute after Graeme Gee had tested Brown at the other end.

Sadly for Gee that was his last contribution for some time having hobbled off with suspected ankle ligament damage following a 52nd-minute challenge by Peters.

Elm and Connolly then clashed heads following a push by Hastings' Steve Hafner and for a while the game lost its spark.

But little Gillespie restored the dazzle with two goals in four minutes - first scampering on to Culliford's long ball up the left and then picking up the scraps after Brown had dropped the ball under pressure from the hard-working Gibbons.

With the points safely in the bag, Bash were able to bring on popular left wing-back Mark Lisk for his first taste of DML action since damaging his medial and cruciate ligaments on March 23.

Gee's injury took some of the gloss off Lisk's welcome return, however, and Binns admitted: "Having Mark back is a bonus, but it's a big blow losing Graeme. He's been very influential and seems to be working even harder now that Darren Robson (former skipper) is not around.

"I was pleased with the lads today. Hastings weren't that bad a side and I think the scoreline flattered us a bit. They were sharp and hungry up front and our lads had to work very hard."

This Saturday Bash travel to Eastleigh in the Hampshire Senior Cup second round.