BASHLEY boss Steve Riley sang the praises of midfielder Gareth Keeping after their goalless draw against Corby made it seven league matches without defeat.

Keeping had been called up in place of injured Chris Knowles, who faces six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a metatarsal injury.

And he took his chance to shine in central midfield although Bashley failed to break down the visitors in front of an expectant crowd of 280.

Riley, whose side are a comfortable eighth in the table following promotion, said: "Gareth came in and he was absolutely outstanding.

"He kept us playing with his tackles, and his fitness was unbelievable.

"This is his chance to get a regular place again.

"It happened to him last season when he got injured and Chris came in and took his position.

"Gareth was out for four weeks before he got back in.

"Now the tables are turned and Gareth, based on this performance, looks as though he is well up for it.

"I'm pleased for Gareth because he sat and waited for his chance. He has a great attitude and I hope he continues his good form."

Bashley's other star in this match was goalkeeper David Elm.

Riley said: "Elmo made some great saves, which is good news because he has been a bit disappointed with his performances even though we are unbeaten in seven league games.

"It was good for everyone to keep a clean sheet. We were pretty sound defensively.

"I think we created the better chances and in the last 15 minutes we were getting it in wide areas putting some great balls in.

"But Corby defended superbly, although we could have taken it in the end.

"We were camped in their last third in the final five minutes but just couldn't find a way through.

"People will read the scoreline and think nil-nil it must have been a boring game', but it wasn't.

"Both goalkeepers were quite busy throughout and both did brilliant jobs."

Elm saved cracking efforts from Darren Lynch and Liam Nicell as Corby went close to taking the lead in the first half.

But Bashley also forced Corby keeper Daniel Crane into some superb saves to deny Richard Gillespie and Keeping before the break after Craig Davis had also shot over when well placed early on.

Davis headed off his own line from Derek Brown in the 46th minute before Crane pulled off a remarkable double save to deny Rayn Moss, and Gillespie from the rebound.

Pete Castle headed wide late on and then Crane's outstretched fingers stole the ball off Moss's head as he lined up to nod the ball home from Dave Wakefield's cross.

Bashley: Elm, Gazzard, Ferrett, Castle, Parnell, Morant (Wakefield 60), Keeping, Davis, Keeler, Moss, Gillespie. Unused subs: Burden, Harper, Campbell, Riley.