TWO first half goals in two minutes was enough to secure Salisbury a 16th league win a row after a 2-0 victory over Portchester on Tuesday night.

The result follows a 6-0 thrashing of Cowes Sports on Saturday and means the Whites are just four wins away from claiming the Wessex League crown.

In truth, the 683 fans at the Ray Mac on Tuesday were not treated to the best Whites performance of the season — the home side failed to ever produce any sustained pressure.

And in a game which lacked quality, three points were secured by two pieces of wonderful skill from winger Claudio Herbert — firstly to win a penalty and then slamming a half volley into the top right hand corner moments later.

It was a glorious spring evening at the Ray Mac, but Salisbury got off to a nervy start, twice George Colson gave the ball away in dangerous positions.

However, the weakened visitors failed to exert any influence, instead turning the game into a physical encounter. It took its toll on the Whites with Callum Hart, Colson and Dan Young all failing to finish the game through injury.

As the temperature plummeted Salisbury did little to threaten the Portchester goal until Tom Whelan dinked a ball over the top after 35 minutes into Herbert's path. The speedy winger then burned left back Rob Evans for pace who could only make a desperate lunge from behind sending Herbert to the ground.

It seemed to take an eternity for referee Michael Ballard to point to the spot, after he did Ashley Jarvis calmly sent keeper Max Whittingham in the wrong direction for his 21st goal of the season.

Sensing the chance to put an end to the encounter Salisbury continued to press, and two minutes later when Portchester failed to clear their lines the ball dropped to Herbert lurking on the edge of the box. The former Poole Town man then steadied himself and hit a scrumptious half volley into the top right corner.

It was a moment to savour for the winger, who admitted he was "gutted" after failing to make the matchday squad in the big FA Vase clash against Hereford.

With the three points seemingly wrapped-up at the break Whites took their foot off the gas in the second half. With the injury to Colson they were forced to play 3-5-2 and although they failed to create many chances, Portchester hardly looked like they would spoil the party. Only a tame effort from Curtis Robbins with eight minutes left gave Charlie Searle any work to do.

The Whites will be back in action within 48 hours against second placed Blackfield & Langley. They will be looking to avenge their only league defeat since August when the New Forest side won 2-1 at the Ray Mac in October.