A FINE Jack Vallis header lit up a murky day at a packed Ray Mac as Salisbury FC prevailed over a stubborn Sholing FC 1-0 to rule the roost of Sydenhams Wessex Premier.

The central defender, making his second consecutive start, made his claim for a regular first team spot after tucking away Tom Whelan's curling set piece in the 55th minute to the delight of 786 fans.

Whites created a plethora of chances to extend their lead and were nearly punished late o when Doug Rowe had a glorious opportunity to level with a header six yards from goal, but nodded wide.

Instead, the hosts held on for the win - their ninth successive one in all competitions - to take a five-point lead at the top of league as Horndean lost, who were leapfrogged by Blackfield and Langley, 3-2 winners at Verwood Town.

In Salisbury's first game at Old Sarum for nearly month, Claridge freshened things up by naming four alterations in his starting XI.

A reshuffle at the back meant Calum Brockway, Eddie Perrett and George Colson as Callum Hart, Steve Walker (suspended) and Sam Roberts made way. Sam Wilson was swapped, for the two-goal hero at AFC Fawley Ashley Jarvis, in attack.

Within the first 20 minutes, the Whites would have been home and dry had Dan Demkiv, Taurean Roberts and Jack Vallis converted their well-worked chances.

Then a smart one-two between Whelan and Wilson, ended in Whelan getting the return, driving forward into Sholing's penalty area but skying his effort into the car park.

Jack Smith later rescued Dave Diaper's men, clearing Kane O'Keefe's goalbound header off the line.

Whites continued to press and Brandon Mundy, on the stroke of half time, thought he had a strong appeal for a penalty when he was tripped up by Daniel Miller, but referee Mark Shapland waved away the claim.

The Boatmen were refreshed straight after the resumption and started to test Charlie Searle, skipper Byron Mason, spearheading the attack, stung the keeper's gloves with a ferocious drive.

At the other end, Mundy got on the end of Roberts' excellent delivery but headed agonisingly wide of Ryan Gosney's far post.

But the hosts' next attack came to fruition ten minutes into the second half. Whelan, who looked like he was shaping up to hit the free-kick, instead delivered a superb cross for Vallis to meet at the far post and steer into the corner.

Three minutes after the opener, Sholing's Byron Mason found space in the area cut inside but bent his right-footed effort over Searle and the bar.

His brother, Barry Mason, then went close with a misguided header before Byron messed up a one-on-one with Searle.

Doug Rowe, four minutes from time, headed wide from Dan Mason's delivery and then fellow substitute Danny Young, sent in a looping cross which evaded everyone apart from Mundy, whose shot was, somehow, hooked off the line.

"It was like the Alamo at times, blimey, that is probably the most misleading 1-0 you are ever going to see," said Claridge.

"We had enough chances, again, it's just ridiculous. Hanging on at the end there, they've had two good chances and we've had chance after chance to put the game to bed and we haven't.

"It's just a real facet of our game that is quite poor, unfortunately, and has been all year and continues to do so."

"It felt like the Lymington game all over again."

Whites travel to Hamworthy United tomorrow night (7.45pm).

Whites: Searle, Colson, Brockway, Vallis, Perrett, Whelan, Demkiv (Herbert, 74), Mundy, O'Keefe, Young (Roberts, 74), Wilson (Jarvis, 80).

Subs not used: Wedlake, S Roberts.

Scorer: Vallis (55)

Referee: Mark Shapland

Att: 786