LUCKLESS Salisbury RFC endured a fourth straight defeat in National League 3 South West after losing by a solitary point to Lydney.

Green and Whites were beaten 25-26 at Castle Road on Saturday - a result that sees them drop to 11th and one place above the relegation zone.

In the early stages, Green and Whites dominated the first scrums, and were rewarded with a penalty. Fullback Tom Lane made no mistake before Matt Dawson ripped through the field and landed a try before the half-hour mark. Lane nailed the conversion and Salisbury went into the interval with a 10-point cushion.

After the break, Lydney looked a different team, attacking strongly.

And their efforts were rewarded with a converted try after only three minutes. Salisbury got close to the line and looked to have scored twice, but the referee disallowed the scores. Lydney continued to apply the pressure and added three more tries, two converted, to lead 26-10 going into the final quarter.

Salisbury were not down and out, though, and a strong drive from captain Liam Gilbert brought him a try, converted by fly-half Matty Loader.

Lane kicked a penalty, then with a few minutes left winger Theo Daniel streaked in for a try to make it 25-26. Lane had the chance to win it late on from the conversion but missed the chance as Salisbury remain winless since September 17.

Neil Loader's men look for a change in fortunes when they travel to rock-bottom Bromsgrove on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Salisbury United slumped to a heavy 40-17 defeat at the hands of Weymouth and Portland in Dorset & Wilts 1 South.

Richard Knight kicked a penalty while there were tries from Pete Maclennan and Gav Shelton, Knight converting both.