MANAGER Steve Riley has moved swiftly to solve Bashley’s goalkeeping crisis by signing veteran stopper Stewart Kearn.

Kearn, who was on Sheffield Wednesday’s books as a youngster, has joined the Southern League outfit on dual registration from Christchurch.

The 36-year-old, who made one appearance for Bashley in April 2010, is set to start when Riley’s men visit Premier Division rivals Cambridge City on Saturday.

Riley has been without a permanent first-choice goalkeeper since David Elm was forced to retire due to a persistent back problem earlier this season.

Elm’s distinguished career came to a disappointing end when he finally succumbed to the injury during a 1-0 home win over Stourbridge in October.

Joe Prodomo, Elm’s half-time replacement against Stour-bridge, is one of three goalkeepers to have donned the green jersey in the past three months.

Kieran Burgess started Bash’s 2-2 draw with Worthing in the FA Trophy and also came off the bench in their 5-2 defeat by Poole in the Southern League Cup.

Riley drafted in Tommy Smith on loan from Salisbury last month, the 21-year-old making five appearances over the festive period.

However, Smith returned to the Wiltshire outfit following Bash’s 3-2 victory at Barwell on Saturday and has since joined Chippenham Town on loan until the end of the season.

Bash’s chances of persuading striker Richard Gillespie to extend his loan spell into a second month appear to have bitten the dust.

Gillespie, who netted five times in as many games over the festive period, has returned to parent club Eastleigh and is understood to be hoping to fight for a place with the Conference South outfit.

Meanwhile, Poole Town closed to within two points of the Division One South & West play-off places following a 3-1 win over Cinderford Town at Tatnam on Tuesday. Marvin Brooks started the ball rolling with a fourth-minute tap-in before substitute Steve Smith restored Poole’s lead from the penalty spot after Nick McCootie had levelled.

Man of the match Carl Preston, who had been felled for the penalty by Ashley Malcolm, capped an impressive display with a deserved third goal late on.

Victory hoisted the in-form Dolphins into eighth place ahead of another key Tatnam encounter against third-placed Sholing on Saturday.

Wimborne Town were left to rue conceding a late equaliser in their 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers Didcot Town at the Loop Meadow Stadium.

Goals from substitute Tom Jeffes and leading scorer Matt Kemble had seen the Magpies cancel out Anaclet Odhimbo’s opener for Diddy. However, James Faulkner’s effort five minutes from time earned the hosts a share of the spoils.

Dolphins: Hutchings, Gill, Spetch, Walker, Baggridge, Howes (Richardson, 81), Brooks, Emmerson, Joyce (S Smith, 59), Preston, Cann (Daysh, 90). Unused sub: Hubbard.

Magpies: Ackerman, Arnold, Cole, Roast, Jamison (Ward, 64), Peprah-Annan, Webb, Cook (Jeffes, 64), Wignall, Kemble, Davidson. Unused subs: Magookin, Cream, Fisher (g/k).