BASHLEY chairman Richard Millbery is confident Steve Riley will remain at the Recreation Ground despite interest from managerless Wimborne Town.

Wimborne want to hold talks with Riley after lodging an official approach with Bash, as revealed yesterday on the Echo website.

The Echo reported on Friday that the highly-rated non-league boss was understood to be on Wimborne’s wish-list and vice-chairman Paul Miller yesterday confirmed the Cuthbury hierarchy were keen to discover if he was interested in succeeding Alex Browne.

Miller said: “We’d like to speak to Steve to see if he is an interested party but there are other people we’d like to speak to who have got equally as good a chance of getting the job.”

However, Millbery would love Riley to extend his stay in the New Forest.

The Bash chief said: “We’re confident we will still have Steve as our manager next season.

“It is up to Steve but we would not want to lose him. He has been a great manager for us.

“We would not want to lose him and I don’t think we will lose him. He has done an excellent job and we are all over the moon with him.”

Riley, who has held the reins at Bashley since October 2005, would certainly fit the bill as Wimborne look to adjust to life in the Southern League.

Magpies have endured a tough debut campaign at their new level and Riley has proven step four credentials, having led Bashley to the Division One South & West title in 2007.

Wimborne are expected to hold interviews this week and other names linked with the vacancy include Poole Town coach Steve Cuss and Sherborne Town boss Mickey Spencer.

Meanwhile, Magpies chairman Ken Stewart was in the Cuthbury dug-out for yesterday’s 3-1 Division One South and West defeat against Sholing.

Lee Chudy fired Wimborne into a first-minute lead but Mike Carter, Nick Watts and Ryan Ashford struck for the high-fliers, who were forced to settle for a play-off place after AFC Totton’s win secured the title.

Magpies: Walker-Harris, Elliott, Roast, Culliford, Cole, Davidson, Green (Hunt, 52), Stokoe, Chudy, Joyce, Barnes. Unused subs: Lloyd, Wilson, Malara (g/k).

• Bashley ended their Premier Division campaign with a 1-0 home win over Tiverton Town thanks to a Dave Allen header.

Player-assistant boss Chris Ferrett captained the side on his last game before retirement.

Bash: Elm, R Hill, Ferrett (Brookes, 88), Middleton, Whitley, Dom Allen (Murray, 71), T Hill, Mason, Dave Allen, Gamble, Smith. Unused subs: Oliver, Riley, Prodomo (g/k).