CHRIS Knowles has ranked Bashley’s sensational victory over FA Cup giant-killers Staines as one of their top three triumphs during his time with the New Foresters.

The combative midfielder saw Chris Mason crack Bash ahead with a spectacular 30-yard pile-driver after only 10 minutes against a side who had just sent League Two Shrewsbury spiralling out of the FA Cup.

Bash defender Chris Ferrett got caught in possession on a quagmire of a pitch, allowing Staines striker Leroy Griffiths to chip over goalkeeper David Elm and level midway through the second-half.

But Mark Gamble saved Ferrett’s blushes, grabbing the Southern Premier side’s winner, coolly slipping the ball under Staines custodian Louis Wells from close range with just five minutes left.

Gamble’s dramatic late strike sent Bash’s fans in a disappointingly low crowd of 268 into raptures of delight as their club reached the FA Trophy first round proper for the second time in three years.

Then Knowles said: “Last season we beat Maidstone and Eastleigh in this competition, and this victory is up there with them.

“Hopefully we can get a top Conference team in the next round, maybe Oxford United or Luton Town would be nice.

“You never know if the Staines players’ minds were on their FA Cup tie against Millwall next weekend, but they might have underestimated us a bit.

“The main thing was we reacted well to the wet, rainy conditions and we stepped up our game a bit because they’re in the league above and we were underdogs.

“We also knew all about our little blip of form in the league and wanted to turn it around.

“Hopefully this result will do the trick and we can carry this form into the league.”

Knowles, who missed Bash’s 1-0 defeat at Torquay in the first round proper two years ago through injury, added: “We were pretty solid. We didn’t give much away.

“The conditions were pretty bad and the pitch got worse and worse as we played. I think we handled the conditions a bit better than they did.

“Chris scored a great goal, a 30-yarder. That set us up nicely and we were solid with two banks of four after that.

“Staines had a bit more possession. They passed the ball well but didn’t penetrate much.

“I don’t think Elmo had too much to do. He probably only had a couple of shots to save, otherwise he was just coming out and catching crosses.

“We were a bit sloppy at the back for their goal, which was nicely finished off. It could have killed us because it was a big blow, but we came back strongly.

“Our heads didn’t drop. We kept going and got our just reward when Gambo slotted in the winner.”

Today’s first round proper draw takes place at 1pm.

Bashley: Elm, Castle, Ferrett, Middleton, Parnell, Knowles, Kelly, Mason, Maxwell (Tarr 62), Gamble, Knight. Unused subs: Gazzard, Prodomo, McCarthy, Riley.