ANNOYED Steve Claridge slammed Salisbury's defence for not doing the basics in their painful FA Trophy exit to Chippenham Town.

Whites were sent spinning out the competition at the first qualifying hurdle after a "gut-wrenching" and "soul-destroying" 3-2 defeat.

Things looked rosey when Justin Bennett scored one of the fastest goals in Trophy history with a classy finish after 18 seconds.

David Pratt hit back moments later before Will Richards put the Bluebirds' noses in front.

Tommy Wright levelled prior to the interval and, at 2-2, the game was heading for a midweek replay at Hardenhuish Park.

But, after a long throw hurled into the box which evaded everyone, talisman Pratt was there to plant home a last-gasp winner.

“Is anyone surprised? It has been us all season, hasn’t it? I’m just disappointed for them, gutted for them but we don’t do the basics do we?," Claridge told JournalSport.

"A long throw into the box and the second goal was a ball punted into the box. "They are all saying we played well, yes we did, and gave everything, I cannot question that. But I'm talking about doing the basics and just defending.

"We look like we are going to concede three every time we play and not even in open play in just whatever means the opposition want to use."

Claridge opted for a 3-5-2 formation on Saturday, with Eddie Perrett and Sam Roberts the two holding midfielders.

It's one of many line-ups the boss has opted for this season. And his various formations have sparked criticism from fans, who want him to play a straightforward 4-4-2.

But Claridge says he's tried every method, and nothing has come to fruition.

"I've tried everything," he added.

"I've tried four at the back, three at the back, five at the back, tried two sitters and we are just conceding goals every week.

"No matter where you go, home or away, we are conceding.

"We've given everyone an opportunity this year.

"You play the big man [Steve] Walker and get done down the side like we did at North Leigh and you play the three who can play a little bit and you get done with just hopeful balls into the box.

"We just cannot get the balance between scoring goals and being able to defend. We cannot play two up front because if we do we will concede goals but then how can you drop the two players who have got you the goals today? That's the predicament I've had all season.

"Where do we go from here? I've tried everything possible.

"We are not getting done through people opening us up, that's the problem. We are getting done with just hopeful balls into the box, that is what's soul-destroying. It's gut-wrenching, just fed up with it."

Salisbury look to bounce back tomorrow night with the visit of in-form Swindon Supermarine in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One S&W (7.45pm).

Claridge continued: "As a manager, I'm always looking to how I can eradicate that but I'm yet to find the answer.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do to change it because whatever I do it's the same result."