MANAGER Barry Blankley paid tribute to the character of his battling Bashley side after Saturday's 3-2 extra-time victory over Newport in the Dr Martens League Cup.

In a carbon-copy of Boxing Day's 1-1 Eastern Division draw between the sides, the Islanders dredged up a late, late equaliser to send this mud-bound second round tie into a gruelling period of extra-time.

It was the last thing either side wanted on a strength-sapping surface, but Bashley dug deep to establish a 3-1 lead through veteran striker Dave Puckett and Craig Davis.

Newport's late saviour Steve Watt struck again amid a goalmouth scramble, but the Foresters deservedly clung on for a home tie against giant-killing Tiverton Town - Saturday's 2-1 FA Trophy conquerors of Boston United - tomorrow week.

"That was a superb performance," purred Blankley. "You could see when Newport got the e equaliser that our players were remembering the league game and thinking 'oh no, here we go again.' We showed a lot of character to get back in front again."

AFC Bournemouth trialist Ben Thomson was one of the stars of the Bash show, putting the Foresters ahead with what looked like the 85th-minute match-winner following a fine crossfield pass by the silky-skilled Jimmy Anderson.

Puckett's header early in extra-time came courtesy of a determined by-line cross from Darren Robson. and Anderson was again the architect of young Davis's low strike from just outside the box.

It was the second fruitless journey to the New Forest inside three days for Newport following the fireworks of Thursday's 4-0 Hampshire Senior Cup defeat at Lymington & New Milton.

Manager Tony Mount said: "It's disappointing to go out in extra-time but it's not the end of the world. If we'd gone through it would have meant postponing yet another league game.

"After Thursday it was tempting to put out a reserve team today, but I thought it was important to bounce back after such a poor performance and I have to say that both sets of player were tremendous today in very difficult conditions."

Newport midfielder Leigh Cole watched the game through two black eyes after being caught in an aerial collision at Lymington.

Both clubs could find themselves in hot water following a stormy evening on and off the pitch at Fawcett's Field but Mount said: "To my mind the challenge on Leigh Cole was worse than anything else that happened that night. The HFA should take a serious look at how the match was refereed."

* Yesterday's Hampshire Senior Cup tie between Havant & Waterlooville and Farnborough Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The new date is February 15 (7.30pm).