Thurrock 1 Salisbury City 1 (From Salisbury Journal)

Thurrock 1 Salisbury City 1

3:31am Thursday 12th January 2012 in Sport

SALISBURY City will feel it was a case of two points dropped after being pegged back late on at bottom club Thurrock on Tuesday.

New signings Will Puddy and Stuart Sinclair went straight into the side. Goalkeeper Puddy made one appearance for the club last season and has joined from Chippenham Town until the end of this term. Midfielder Sinclair is the brother of former Whites' favourite Robbie, and joins on loan from Arlesey Town until the end of the campaign after impressing for them against Salisbury in the FA Cup. Both are cup tied for the FA Trophy though. Tommy Smith's loan move to Bashley did not go through and he instead looks likely to take Puddy's place at Chippenham.

Robbie Matthews returned to the club for the second time this season, on an 18-month deal for an undisclosed sum after an initial loan spell from Newport County. The necessary paperwork was not through in time for the striker to play on Tuesday though.

The first chance came after 11 minutes when Dan Fitchett's shot was deflected wide and from the resulting Darrell Clarke corner Chris Giles put a header just over at the far post. Marvin Williams cut inside and put a shot over from 15 yards, and Thurrock threatened when Luke I'Anson's shot was blocked by Ryan Brett. Ahmed Deen's 25-yarder dropped just over, then Clarke had a shot from similar distance saved.

The Whites went ahead in the 36th minute when Brett's free kick was flicked on and Giles smashed it in from close range.

Fitchett fashioned a good chance for Williams to double the lead on 76 minutes, but he shot straight at the keeper.

The hosts rescued a point five minutes from time, Sam Cutler's tremendous rising drive from just outside the box giving Puddy no chance. Lee Boylan had a great chance to secure Thurrock's first home win of the season in injury time but he chipped over the top when faced with Puddy in a one-on-one.