DAVE Allen believes play-off chasing Bashley will relish the prospect of having their underdog status restored following another knockout giant-killing nightmare.

Sitting just four points below the top five, Bash are going well in the Southern Premier ahead of tomorrow’s home clash against St Albans City (3pm).

But the New Forest outfit’s league form is in stark contrast to their cup results this season.

Having already suffered an embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of Combined Counties Hartley Wintney, Bash were dumped out of the FA Trophy in Tuesday’s controversial 4-2 defeat against Worthing of the Ryman League Division One South.

Captain Allen is looking forward to a return to league action and is hoping to propel Bash into the play-off picture.

Allen told the Daily Echo: “Our league form seems to be totally different to cup form.

“We have got a bit of an issue when we play against the lower division sides, which we can’t seem to put our finger on. But in the league, we are plodding along nicely.

“I think we prefer more of an underdog tag when we go into games.

“And when we look at the teams in the league, they are much similar and are hard working and physical, so we know what we will be up against. That is probably why we are doing well.

“If we can crack on and get another three points tomorrow, that would put us right back in the play-off mix again.”

Bash had Mark Gamble, Luke Whitley and Tom Hill all sent off in Tuesday’s replay defeat against Worthing. But all three will be available to face St Albans as their suspensions do not begin until November 8.