A Craig Anstey double smashed the unbeaten league record of Dr Martens Eastern Division championship challengers Dorchester Town yesterday and gave Bashley a stunning 2-0 awayday victory, writes Derek Hawkins.

Anstey struck first just before half-time. Danny Gibbons' shot was saved by the Dorchester 'keeper but, when the defence failed to clear the loose ball, Anstey was on hand to stroke it home from eight yards to give the Foresters a 42nd-minute lead.

Anstey sealed three valuable points after 84 minutes when Bashley cleared their lines from a corner to around to the halfway line, where Anstey was adjudged to be onside and he raced clear to lob 'keeper Ormerod from the edge of the penalty area.

The victory lifts Bashley - who have only been beaten twice in their 19 league games to date - to within one point of second-placed Dorchester.

Although they are still eight points adrift of leaders Salisbury, they do have two games in hand on the Whites who they entertain on New Year's Day.

However, Barry Blankley's first thoughts will be on tomorrow's tussle with mid-table Ashford Town at the Recreation Ground.

That result would have been greeted warmly by table-toppers Salisbury who overcame Newport IoW 3-2 at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium in front of a bumper 613 Boxing Day crowd.

The Islanders took a 27th-minute lead when Adam Lang's cross was touched on by Steve Riley and Mark Preston found himself presented with an open goal.

The Whites replied with three goals in a blistering nine-minute spell. On the hour, Andy Cook played a one-two with Wayne Turk before placing a superb right-footer into the top corner of the net from 18 yards.

Four minutes later, Stuart Brown flicked on a cross from the left and 19-year-old AFC Bournemouth loanee Callum Burt pounced.

It became 3-1 on 69 minutes when a long throw-in by Swindon Town loanee Ian Herring got the faintest of touches from Tyronne Bowers on its way into the net.

Although Jamie O'Rourke pulled another goal back for Newport with 11 minutes remaining, they couldn't find an equaliser and manager Steve Tate conceded: "Salisbury showed their class in the second half and the scoreline flattered us in the end."

Salisbury boss Nick Holmes added: "The passion that had been missing in the last few games has returned and we deserved our win."

Salisbury travel to Rothwell tomorrow without Wayne Turk and Matt Davies (suspended) and Tyronne Bowers (family reasons), while Newport entertain Chatham Town at St George's Park.

l Basement battlers Fleet Town recorded only their second victory of the season - an impressive 1-0 victory at Fisher.

A 37th-minute Mark Frampton header gave Fleet three precious points and they could even afford an injury-time penalty miss by Steele Saunders, whose effort hit the woodwork.

Fleet have a must-win home game against fellow strugglers Corby at Calthorpe Park tomorrow.