SMILING skipper Glenn Wilson was pleased with Salisbury City's response from the defensive nightmare at Halifax Town to register a clean sheet against promotion-chasing Alfreton Town on Saturday.

A 0-0 draw, played in the gale and stormy conditions at the Ray Mac, satisfied the 27-year-old following a 5-1 thumping at The Shay.

“We had to improve on the defensive display in Halifax and the gaffer made sure we worked on our mistakes in the week,” Wilson explained to the Journal.

“We all put a shift in on Saturday as we owed it to the fans after not putting in a good performance in West Yorkshire, but these things happen. It's a long season and we're going to have days like that.

“Fortunately, we put it right against Alfreton. Mikey made sure we improved straight away.”

Currently, Wilson has appeared in all of City's 30 Skrill Premier clashes, and in that time has predominantly paired up with James Clarke at centre-half.

But Clarke's injury gave utility player Brian Dutton the chance to assert a solid partnership with Wilson and not concede against a side that have netted almost 50 goals.

“Listen, James has been brilliant this season and I've enjoyed playing alongside him,” he added.

“Brian has come in and done very well, like he has all season when we've needed him. He's good enough to handle this level and there's not much difference. I was happy with a point on Saturday.”

City, lingering in the top half of the table, are in touching distance of creeping back into the top five, and Wilson, formerly of tomorrow night's opponents Woking, is confident they can compete with the surrounding high-flying teams.

“We want to be up at the top competing.

“We're in a great position at the moment but we need to win our games in hand, if we do that we'll be in an even better spot. Who knows what can happen.”

Salisbury go to Southport on Saturday (3pm). Follow @Saljournalsport for live updates.