TALISMAN Paul Gazzard has described Bashley's newly-acquired midfield star Danny Smith as the club's best ever player.

Captain Gazzard will step out for his 200th Bash appearance in tomorrow's crucial BGB Premier Division clash against play-off rivals Hemel Hempstead at the Recreation Ground (3pm).

But the modest 32-year-old skipper was quick to divert attention away from his milestone and on to former Cherries and Eastleigh star Smith, whose loan deal with the New Forest club ended in him putting pen to paper on a permanent deal until the end of the season.

Gazzard said: "Danny's made a massive difference. When his loan spell was coming to an end, I said he would be the difference between a possible promotion or missing out. For me, he's the best player we've ever had at the club.

"Before I played for Bash I was a supporter anyway and I used to go up and watch and I haven't seen anyone better than him in my time at the club."

On Smith's decision to stay with Bash, Gazzard said: "We've got a great dressing room and the lads are all on the same wave-length. There's no big-time Charlies at the club and I think where Danny has played at a higher level, he's maybe seen some of that."

A victory over Hemel tomorrow would all but cement Steve Riley's side in the Premier Division play-offs after some inspired form over the Easter period.

And with wins over Swindon Supermarine and Bromsgrove Rovers coming on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Team Bath, Gazzard admitted some of his team-mates were still targeting the league title.

He added: "A win against Hemel would top it off nicely and even though we're all laughing about the dream still being alive and going up as champions, I think we just need to cement fifth place.

"We can be confident and although we didn't pick anything up against Team Bath, it was a good performance so our mentality will be to go out and pick up all three points, even though simply not losing could help us keep hold of that fifth place."

Boss Steve Riley was full of praise for Gazzard.

Riley said: "He fully deserves all the credit.

"He's 100 per cent and you know what you're going to get with Paul."

On Gazzard's view that Smith is Bashley's finest ever player, Riley joked: " Well, Paul didn't see me in my heyday!"

Pete Castle is suspended for tomorrow's encounter, so Phil Archbold comes into the squad.

Gary Middleton should return after overcoming a sickness bug.

Bashley: (from) Elm, Gazzard, Ferrett, Archbold, Knowles, Sainsbury, Keeler, Smith, Davis, Town, Tarr, Moss, Gillespie, Harper, Burch, Riley.