TOMMY Wright emerged from the bench to score a late winner as ten-man Salisbury clinched an opening day victory over a stubborn Evesham United.

The defining moment came in the 86th minute after the Sutton United loanee punished Evesham for a defensive mix-up with a simple tap in.

It was just reward for an injury-hit Whites who had earlier lost George Colson to a second yellow card on the back of a frustrating pre-season programme. Over the course of July they lost first-choicer keeper Charlie Searle and the likes of Danny Young and Callum Hart through shoulder injuries.

Those absences led to Steve Claridge snapping up three players on loan 24 hours before kick off in Evo-Stick Southern League Division One South and West.

Southampton keeper Will Britt, Newport County defender Kieran Parselle and Portsmouth midfielder Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain were all given their debuts against a side which narrowly missed out on last season's play-offs.

Oxlade-Chamberlain - the younger brother of Arsenal star Alex - immediately threw himself into the thick of things by getting plenty of the ball in midfield.

Evesham’s best form of defence came in attack, catching Salisbury on the counter on more than one occasion, Britt being forced into a decent save.

Then, on 30 minutes, a long kick from visiting keeper Kevin Sawyer found Paul Fahy who smashed a half volley from 25 yards narrowly over the top.

The hosts dominated the majority of possession, but disaster struck two minutes into the second period when Colson was dismissed from play after fouling Evesham winner Lewis Binns.

Seemingly shaken by the sending off, Salisbury lost the momentum of the first half and were tested by the visitors' attack.

On 71 minutes Brandon Mundy got the better of Evesham’s right back and floated over a ball for TomWhelan, who fluffed the opportunity.

As the clock ticked, Whites mustered two opportunities, one of which they converted. Lewis Benson saw his shot parried by Sawyer two minutes before the goal arrived.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's shot was blocked off the line but the resulting clearance looped over Sawyer, and Wright was on hand to prod home.

Evesham attempted one last attack, but Salisbury remained robust and allowed no way through.

Whites 1

Evesham 0

Whites: Britt, Colson, Perrett, Whelan, Wheeler, Parselle (Walker 87), Herbert, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Benson, Bennett (Wright 74), Mundy.

Subs not used: Matthews, Rusher, Ball.

Referee: Stephen Graham

Att: 724