SALISBURY FC kickstarted their crammed pre-season campaign with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bristol Rovers.

Goals from Ellis Harrison, Ollie Clarke and Billy Bodin proved enough for the Sky Bet League One newcomers to prevail in what was a rerun of last year’s friendly.

Whites legend Darrell Clarke, who masterminded double promotions in three years at the Ray Mac, fielded a strong side which took just 18 minutes to net the opener.

Following a good move, playmaker Bodin tricked his way into the area before being tripped by young Ashton Leigh and referee Brendan Malone showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Harrison stepped up and lashed his penalty kick into the roof of the net.

Charlie Searle then made a fine save to deny Ryan Broom, fresh from scoring a brace at Mangotsfield the night before, from point blank range.

Whites' best chance to level came inside 36 minutes when Tom Whelan picked out Steve Walker at the far post who at full stretch couldn't make the deftly touch.

That missed proved crucial as two minutes later Rovers, wearing their training kits as their new shirts hadn't arrived, doubled their lead. Clarke raced through into the area and and took his time before firing into the far corner.

As the game wore on the gulf in class between the teams - who are four divisions apart - became more evident.

And despite Whites going close with Elliot Wheeler and new hitman Justin Bennett, Bodin rounded things off with a close-range finish midway through the second half.

Home boss Steve Claridge, who fielded a number of triallists, told JournalSport: "It was hard work wasn't it!

"They are way ahead of us fitness wise and in respect to where we are.

"They are a good side with good players. We've got four of five players that are missing so it almost a guessing game for us.

"There one or two of them who did themselves real favours.

"I was very pleased with what I saw on the whole."

Salisbury FC 0

Bristol Rovers 3

Harrison (pen 18), Clarke (38), Bodin (65)

Whites: Searle, Colson, Wheeler (c), Walker, Leigh, Whelan, Ano, Benson, Mundy, Young, Bennett.

Subs: Sanger, Roberts, Dawes, Perrett, Warren, Flint, Ahmed, Ball.

Bristol Rovers: Puddy, Leadbitter, Lockyer (c), Fields, Brown, Sinclair, Clarke, Gosling, Bodin, Broom, Harrison

Subs: Malpas, Lucas, Law, Kilgour.

Referee: Brendan Malone

Att: 865