1:20pm Monday 8th February 2010
By Phil Chard
STAND-IN skipper Dave Allen cracked a brace to take his tally to five in four games as Bashley cranked up their promotion push with a fighting 2-2 draw at play-off chasing rivals Cambridge City.
The 26-year-old striker equalised twice for Steve Riley’s side after Neil Midgley and Jamie Barker had fired the Lilywhites in front on two occasions.
First, Allen, who has temporarily taken over the captaincy while Matt Parnell has been sidelined through unavailability, cracked in a beauty from the edge of the box.
Then he coolly converted his fifth penalty of the season by sending Gloucester goalkeeper Zac Barrett the wrong way after Adam Kelly had been brought down.
It means the former Winchester City frontman has overtaken 10-goal Mark Gamble at the top of Bash’s hit list with 12 for the term, having grabbed seven in their last nine matches.
Manager Riley said: “Dave has worn the captain’s armband for the last two games and he has worn it well.
“He’s been giving club captain Paul Gazzard some stick because we’re unbeaten in those two games.
“Paul is club captain but was on the bench on Saturday and is having to wait for his chance.
“Dave leads by example and has a great footballing brain.
“He works really well on the ball and has an eye for popping up at the right time in the area to score.”
Riley added: “Last season we lost 5-0 at Cambridge, but you couldn’t compare the side we put out that day to the one we had out on Saturday.
“On reflection, a 2-2 draw was a fair result and it keeps our nice little run going. We’re five unbeaten and have to keep that run going as long as we can.
“Dave played in a five-man midfield, while Max Cream worked his socks off up front on his own.
“From what I have seen of him in our last two games, Max has fitted in well with the lads.
“His awareness around the box is very good and he is just getting his match fitness and finding his feet at this level.”
Bashley: Elm, Smith, Knight, Middleton, Bottomley, Knowles, Kelly, Allen, Cream (Maxwell 71), Mason, Keeler. Unused subs: Ferrett, Prodomo, Gazzard, Gamble.
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