NEWPORT - the team with fewest games played in the entire Dr Martens League - will be kicking their heels at home tomorrow.

Because of Ashford's involvement in the FA Umbro Trophy, the Isle of Wight club are without an Eastern Division fixture and manager Tony Mount's efforts to rearrange one have fallen on stony ground.

They could have played Sittingbourne had Rothwell won their midweek Trophy replay against Braintree, but the Northamptonshire side crashed out on penalties.

The other alternative was persuading Witney Town to bring forward their scheduled trip to Island from April 7, but the Blanketmen were having none of it.

"I can't believe Witney would rather twiddle their thumbs at home than get a game played," said Mount. "I was even prepared to go up there - and, excuse me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't that bring in some much-needed revenue that helps keep non-league clubs afloat?

"They've got contract players just like we have and surely it would be in their best interests to get the game played.

Mount added: "I'm really disappointed with some of these clubs' attitudes. We're bending over backwards to get games rearranged but when we suggested to Ashford that we go up there on April 1, the day after we play at Sittingbourne, they said 'Sorry, we don't do Sundays.'"

Newport's lack of games has hit them hard financially and the Islanders this week parted company with first-team coach/Academy of Football director Joe Roach because chairman Bill Manuel needed to cut overheads.

Bashley were hoping to have talks with Salisbury City midfielder Robbie Harbut ahead of tomorrow's Eastern Division tester against second-placed Baldock at the Recreation Ground.

Manager Barry Blankley remains keen to strengthen the one-time league leaders, whose mid-season stutters have dropped them to 13th.

"Unless we start getting some results we'll end up the bottom six when, really, we should be a top-six side," Blankley said.

"We couldn't be faulted in last week's 2-1 defeat at Tonbridge and even the referee said: 'Excellent game, wrong result.' We're doing things right but not winning games."

Defender Simon Elley returns from suspension but doubts hover over Roy Young (foot), Simon James (back) and Phil Andrews (hamstring).

Salisbury have an FA Cup defeat to avenge at Premier Division basement boys Dorchester, but manager Geoff Butler insisted: "Forget about revenge, we'll settle for three points."

The Magpies' wretched season has yielded just 14 points from 18 games and Butler warned: "They've got to start turning things round to get out of trouble and will feel their best chance lies in home games."

Whites' defender Roger Emms is struggling with a pulled back muscle.

Jewson Wessex quartet Andover, Brockenhurst, Downton and Fareham have enquired after available Salisbury defender Darren Curtis.

Havant & Waterlooville hit the road again to Merthyr Tydfil, still licking their wounds after Wednesday's 4-0 Dr Martens Cup exit at Tiverton where skipper Gary MacDonald was sent off for two bookable offences.

Injured trio Shaun Gale, Paul Wood and Dave Leworthy should all be back along with Gary Connolly as Hawks seek to improve on 15th place in the Premier Division.