SALISBURY face their toughest test of the season on Saturday when they travel to undefeated leaders Hereford (3pm).

Whites make their return to Edgar Street nine months after their epic FA Vase semi-final clash.

But since then they have locked horns with the Bulls in the preliminary round of the FA Trophy at the Ray Mac, which they won 4-3.

Peter Beadle’s side boast a formidable record in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division South and West. They are eight points clear at the summit, having won 16 of 18 games.

And their average home attendance is 2,572 - higher than a host of National Premier clubs.

Whites approach the game in eighth place, six points off the play-offs, which boss Steve Claridge admits there’s “no pressure” to make.

“This club has been going 18 months and we started from nothing. It was always going to be a case of, right, who’s good enough and who’s not good enough this season,” he said.

“Look, it’s the same old, same old. We get 600 or 700 people, that is 300 more people than anyone else but they haven’t got a ground to run like we’ve got and the expenses we’ve got. So, in our way, one just cancels the other out.

“We haven’t got this money sloshing around.

“The expectation is that Salisbury were not what they were five years ago, okay. We are a work-in-progress and we’ll be that for the next two or three years.

“I’m really pleased with what we’ve done so far. If people think that it’s promotion or bust then they are sadly mistaken. And I don’t believe anyone does feel like that.”

New signing Christopher Onoufriou could make his debut for Whites. He joins Claridge’s charges from Sydenhams Wessex Premier outfit Andover Town, where he has made 15 appearances this season. While one departs Andover, one moves there. Winger Reece Rusher joins on loan.