CAPTAIN Kane O’Keefe donned the gloves as ten-man Salisbury sealed a gusty 2-0 win over Frome Town to book their place in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

In-form Tommy Wright finished with aplomb for the opener on 27 minutes.

Steve Walker doubled Whites’ cushion midway through the second half – moments before young keeper Nathan Ball was sent off for a careless challenge on Josh Fergusson.

With no substitute keeper, O’Keefe led by example and stepped in to keep out the Somerset visitors and see Whites safely into today's draw and, with it, a cheque for £3,000.

The rain lashed down at a packed Ray Mac in what was the biggest attendance of the 116 first qualifying round ties on Saturday with a crowd of 832.

And it was a frenetic opening between both sides who are fifth in their respective Southern League tables.

Whites were quickest out of the blocks. Elliot Wheeler went close with a glancing header and then Tom Whelan swiped an audacious half volley wide, both courtesy of Lewis Benson deliveries.

And it was midfield ace Benson, who set-up the opener. His delightful through ball carved open the visitors’ back line and Wright was there to excellently trap the ball before spotting a gap and rifling low past the caught-out Darren Chitty.

Four minutes later, Jon Davies’ late challenge on Claudio Herbert saw a melee unfold on the pitch – with four bookings dished out by referee Daniel Austin, who was later escorted and booed off at half time.

Darren Jefferies was involved with two swift Frome moves, lashing a shot into the stands and setting up Jon Davies, whose effort drifted into the stands.

They paid the price for their lacklustre finishing as Whites grabbed a second in the 57th minute. A menacing Benson corner was met by Walker who, at full-stretch, planted home a powerful header.

But, just 60 seconds later, Whites were caught napping from a long ball and Ball burst off his line and wiped out Fergusson on the edge of the box, with the stopper given his marching orders. The 20-year-old later apologised to fans on social media for his actions saying "it was a poor decision on my part". O’Keefe, who last week scored the winner over Mangotsfield on his 28th birthday, hooked away the resulting free kick as well as soaking up late pressure from Frome.

And the visitors had a strong penalty shout late on dismissed following a foul on Jake Jackson.

Thrilled Salisbury boss Steve Claridge told JournalSport: “We fully deserved it, and some I think. We were very good.

"I said if they don't score from the free kick we'll win the game, and they didn't. "We were comfortable in all honesty considering we only had ten men.

"He's [Kane] has gone in and done a job for us, brilliant! I can't say much about them as they've been sensational.

"We'll give anyone a game now."

Salisbury FC (4-2-3-1): Ball, Herbert (Perrett 63), Walker, Wheeler, Parselle, Whelan, Roberts, Benson (Oxlade-Chamberlain 90 +1), O’Keefe (c), Mundy, Wright (Bennett 72).

Subs not used: Leigh, Rusher, Young.

Scorers: Wright (26), Walker (57).

Att: 832.

Referee: Daniel Austin.

Star man: Lewis Benson (Salisbury).

Red card: Nathan Ball (58).