A resolute performance from Bedford on Tuesday night ensured that the side came back from the New Forest with a vital win at Bashley, giving a breathing space of four points in the battle against relegation.
Lee Howarth was forced into two changes for game: Paul Draycott replacing the injured Eddie Lawley. And with Callum Lewis forced out through suspension, returnee, Graham Clark slotted back into midfield.
The early exchanges favoured the home side – who are looking to consolidate their place in the playoffs, and this set the tone for the 90 minutes.
With five minutes on the clock, a killer cross from the right was snuffed out by the outstretched boot of Tom Hole before Justin Keeler was able to pounce.
Two more good chances were squandered by the hosts before the tenth minute. First, a low shot from Max Cream was saved by Mike Armitt, and then, Bashley were awarded an indirect free kick in the Bedford area when Jon Darby was adjudged to have passed the ball back to Armitt. Although it wasn't one of these free kicks's that were just eight yards from goal, Keeler wasted a good chance when he blasted the ball high and wide.
Bedford were given a respite from the early onslaught with an attack of their own, when a long clearance went to Jamie Cole, on the left. The midfielder cut inside and forced a save - and probably a first touch - from David Elm.
After this it was backs-to-the-wall again. Armitt denied another Cream shot and defender, Charlie Knight saw his effort deflected for a corner. Despite their dominance, Bashley were creating their own luck in front of goal, with the Bedford defence soaking the pressure up.
On 22 minutes, however, the home side nearly went in front when Knight's intended cross from the byline evaded Armitt and Paul Draycott headed away from under his own bar.
Bedford took the lead in the 27th minute, totally against the run of play. Another clearance upfield was controlled by Junior McDougald before he squared it into the path of Craig Daniel. The Bedford No7 took the ball forward a bit before hitting a shot from just outside the area that took enough of a deflection off Gary Middleton to wrong-foot Elm and hit the back of the net.
This gave Bedford more confidence in attacking.
On 34 minutes, Daniel's run down the right and subsequent cross was snatched at by Ian Draycott and the ball was easily cleared; but only to Rob Miller, whose first time effort from 25-yards forced Elm to make sure with a save.
Daniel was at it again, with four minutes of the half to go, coming in off the right to slide the ball across goal. Despite the attempts of Draycott, I. and McDougald the ball ran harmlessly wide.
The 2nd half kept up the pattern of play from the 1st; with Bashley constantly going forward and Bedford pulling together to defend. At times all 11 men were behind the ball, with just the home ‘keeper in the Bashley territory. But still the defence held on, and it wasn't until the 58th minute that a sterling chance should have been converted. This time David Allen headed over from close range following Mark Gamble's cross.
A couple of minutes later, McDougald set up Daniel, again, but this time the ambitious 30-yarder flew over the bar.
With the amount of possession afforded them, it was only a matter of time that Bashley were given a gilt-edged chance to equalise, this came in the 74th minute when a rare lapse of concentration allowed Adam Kelly to enter the Bedford area unimpeded. Paul Draycott raced across for a saving tackle; Kelly went down, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Armitt had been solid all game, but pulled off two saves to deny his adversaries. First was the penalty kick from Allen that the Bedford guardian dived low to his left to save, then the rebound from Gamble.
The home side kept up the onslaught, but the Bedford defence made sure that the frustration of players and fans alike took on a more visible aspect.
In the last 10 minutes, Keeler skewed a shot wide and when the same player crossed the ball into the left hand post Ross Bottomley headed just wide from close range.
Despite this, there was a feeling that Bedford could sew the game up, and it nearly happened with four minutes remaining. Ian Draycott charged down an attempted clearance from Jack Smith, took the ball forward, but his low shot from the edge of the area was saved.
A minute later though, the points were safe. Daniel tried another long-range shot. This time Elm had to react, but only palmed the ball over to the right where McDougald took up the slack. The Bedford striker crossed the ball in and, in an attempt to deny Ian Draycott a simple tap-in; Middleton smashed the ball past his own ‘keeper.
Bashley came forward again. On 90 minutes Allen headed a free kick over the bar before a consolation goal was scored five minutes into ‘time added on'. Keeler's free kick was helped onto the bar by Armitt, and substitute, Joe Maxwell had the simplest of touches to help the ball over the line from a couple of foot.
There will be no letting up for Bedford in the next two games, with a trip to 2nd placed Brackley on Saturday before entertaining 4th placed Cambridge City the following Tuesday.

Line up:
1 Mike Armitt
2 Tom Hole
3 Paul Draycott
4 Stuart Wall
5 Jon Darby
6 Rob Miller (c)
7 Craig Daniel
8 Graham Clark
9 Junior McDougald
10 Ian Draycott
11 Jamie Cole
Subs:
12 Ishmael George (on for Daniel 90+2)
13 Michael Kavanagh
14 Nat Peacock
15 Tom Damon (on for Cole 90)
16 Lee Howarth