JOINT-manager Stewart Kearn is confident he can see light at the end of the tunnel for winless Bashley and insists: “It is not panic stations yet.”

Kearn and fellow boss Paul Gazzard also moved to give Bashley’s players their “full backing” following a heavy 4-1 loss at Chesham United last night.

The rookie duo, who were forced to embark on a rebuilding mission after succeeding Frank Gray, have endured a tough start to life in the Bashley hot-seat.

Defeat at Chesham left the New Forest outfit bottom of the Southern Premier with two draws and four defeats in their six league matches so far this season.

But Kearn believes Bash will soon turn the corner and he is adamant their first victory is not far away.

The former Christchurch goalkeeper told the Daily Echo: “It is not the start any manager wants, especially when they are starting out on their managerial career.

“I don’t think we are a million miles away, which might sound strange when we have not won in six games. I think we need that little bit of luck. The camp is still very confident and buoyant, which is a good sign.

“It would be very easy to make massive changes early on but the players have got our full backing.

“We are aware that is has been a poor start but we are looking for that one spark. When we get that, I think we will be okay and go from there.

“It is not panic stations yet but we need that win to get the ball rolling.”

Bashley’s latest setback came at Chesham despite a promising start. The visitors almost took the lead after just fifty seconds when Dave Allen’s sweetly struck effort came back off the post.

But the hosts took control when Drew Roberts fired them ahead in the 12th minute. Bashley’s task was made more difficult when goalkeeper Nic Jones and playmaker Charlie Knight were both forced off through injury.

Chris Dillon doubled Chesham’s advantage on 61 minutes before Roberts got his second of the game with 20 minutes remaining.

Sam Boultwood gave Bash a glimmer of hope with a fine long-range strike in the 81st minute, but James Potton confirmed Chesham’s dominance late on.

Kearn added: “Chesham are a good side and I fancy them to be up there at the end of the season.”

Bash: Jones (Thomas, 56), Boultwood, Farren (Brookes, 79), Richardson, Middleton, Stephenson, Casey, Allen, Sills, Odam, Knight (Strickland, 60). Unused subs: Porter, Gazzard.

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