ERNIE Howe's Basingstoke Town side go into their New Year's Day clash with fierce local rivals and league-leaders Aldershot bristling with confidence after outplaying Grays 3-1 at the Camrose.

Wednesday's match is certain to be one of the most fiercely contested, with both teams riding high in the Ryman premier league and Aldershot having lost 2-1 to Braintree at the weekend.

But, after comprehensively beating Grays with goals from Craig McAllister, Neville Roach and Alex Ewin, the Blues will be determined to record their second win of the season over the Shots and narrow the 10-point gap between them.

After the Grays match, Howe said: "All the lads are up for this one. It's been set up nicely with Aldershot losing at the weekend and us beating Grays.

"They don't have the best of records here, and I hope that will continue so we can close the gap on them.

"Today's win will give us a good bit of confidence. I will have the lads in on Monday training to work on a few things, but there's no need to really change anything.

"Their fitness over the last two matches shows they have stayed disciplined over Christmas, and I am sure they will do the same on New Year's Eve.

"It's a big game, one all of us at the club always look forward to. A win would be a great way to start 2003, but we will not be complacent. It's going to be a hard test for us."

Nevertheless, if his side can reproduce the form they showed on Saturday, they will have more than a chance of getting a good result. Despite falling behind to Martin Carthy's 15th minute header from Mark Stimson's floated-in free-kick - and nearly going two down after Wayne Vaughn blazed wide following 'keeper Scott Ward's defence-dissecting goal-kick half an hour in - it was a match Town dominated.

A crucial equaliser on the stroke of half-time set them on their way, when Efon Elad's corner was met by Craig McAllister's firm header.

In the second half, Town ran rings around their physical opponents, with McAllister and Neville Roach back to their very best.

On 55 minutes, the home side took the lead with a superb goal. Kevin Gibbens tracked back to thwart Roy Essandoh and force the former Wycombe man into a cross that was easily mopped-up by Ian Dickens.

Passing to Alex Ewin, the midfielder then turned and played forward to Roach who, with the ball chest-height, knocked it over his head and that of defender Pete Smith.

Twenty yards out, and with defenders closing in, Roach powerfully hit the ball into the top corner, giving 'keeper Scott Ward no chance.

Town were then kept at bay until Ewin rode two challenges and found himself through on goal. At an acute angle, he steered it past Ward into the far corner to wrap up the game.

Howe said: "We played well and it was nice to see the front men get a goal, as well as perform the way we know they can.

"There were many outstanding displays. Young David Ray looks as though he has always been a right-back, yet it was only his fourth game there!

"It was another sloppy goal we conceded but I thought the other team looked leggy and there for the taking. We certainly did that."

Wednesday's kick-off is 1pm and tickets for seating in the stand are still available, priced at £7 for adults and £4 concessions, from the community office.

Basingstoke Town: Kirby, Dickens, Stamp, Gibbens, Ray, Allaway, Rooke, Elad, McAllister, Roach, Ewin. Not used: Hemmings, Howes, Graham, Wellman.

Grays Athletic: Ward, Robinson, Broom, Smith, Keeper (Hipgrove 48), Burnett (Fayenuwo 68), Maywell, Stimson (Dillow 58), Essandoh, Vaughn, Carthy. Not used: Vincent, Lunan.