SALISBURY say they never asked Hereford to pay £2,500 in policing costs for Saturday's league clash (3pm).

The game was made an all-ticket affair by Whites last week following advice from the Southern Football League.

It comes after Bulls fans were involved in a pitch invasion at Didcot Town, and the game was consequently abandoned.

Only season-tickets holders at leaders Hereford are able to buy a ticket of the 1,000 allocated in the away end for the potential title-clinching clash in Division One South and West.

According to a statement issued by secretary Martin Watson on Hereford's club website, he says "Salisbury FC have informed us the system has been implemented to avoid a £2,500 Policing bill for the fixture. Salisbury FC initially asked Hereford FC to pay this bill, and have also made a request that we pay for extra stewarding at the game."

But chairman David Phillips has since hit back.

He wrote in a statement: "We have read the “Update on Salisbury Ticket Situation” on the Hereford FC website and regret that the statement is not an accurate reflection of the position.

"There have been a number of conversations with Hereford FC and the club is aware of all the circumstances surrounding our decision to restrict away ticket sales to season ticket holders only.

"The two clubs had full discussions regarding the reasoning for the restriction a week ago and there have been several telephone conversations and exchanges of emails subsequently.

"The prime concern of Salisbury FC is to ensure the safety of all spectators coming to see this match and we have had consultations with the Wiltshire Safety Advisory Group who are ultimately responsible for deciding the conditions which apply to the staging of this fixture.

"There have been incidents in recent matches involving Hereford FC and this had a major effect on the requirements of the SAG.

"Ultimately, it was agreed that by having an “all ticket” match, thus limiting the maximum number of spectators and by allowing sales of away Supporters' tickets solely to Season Ticket Holders there would be no requirement for Police to be present in the stadium.

"At no stage did we ask Hereford FC to pay £2,500 for policing.

"We have pointed out to Hereford FC that they too have a responsibility for ensuring a trouble-free afternoon and have suggested that they might like to bring along a few of their own stewards at their own expense."

So far, Whites have sold 500 tickets for the game, on top of the 180 season-ticket holders.

It will be the second time they've met this season at the Ray Mac after the Bulls visited in October for the preliminary round of the FA Trophy.

Whites won that dramatic clash 4-3 as Eddie Perrett grabbed a brace.