SALISBURY's return to Edgar Street ended in huge disappointment as they were beaten 3-1 by runaway league leaders Hereford FC.

It was a second successive defeat in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West for Whites, who were back in Herefordshire for the first time since their FA Vase semi-final first leg nine months ago.

And instantly the visitors were rocked inside the first 10 minutes after conceding two goals.

Bulls, watched by 2,816 fans, netted the opener in the fourth minute when Tristan Plummer set-up Rob Purdie who rolled home from close-range.

Plummer was involved four minutes later when he went to ground following Kane O'Keefe's challenge and the referee stunned Whites by awarding a penalty. Mike Symons duly dispatched.

Tommy Wright then went close after intercepting a pass from Purdie on the centre circle before Plummer kept Alex Bass alert with a driven shot.

Wright's next chance resulted in a goal, halving the deficit. The speedy centre-forward nodded home a George Colson cross to give the 92 visiting fans hope of a comeback.

Salisbury pushed for a leveller but came unstuck on the hour mark when the Bulls restored their two-goal cushion.

Pablo Haysham cantered forward and his low cross deflected kindly into the path of Jamie Molyneux, and he did the rest from six yards out.

Six minutes later it could have been 4-0, Mike McGrath struck the upright following a smart interchange with Symons.

A grandstand finish looked in store when Justin Bennett thought he had scored after heading home Tommy Wright's effort that ricocheted off the underside of the bar - but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Whites, who have won one of their last four league games, drop down one place into ninth but are still six points off the play-offs and fifth-placed Shortwood United, who they welcome on Saturday (3pm).

Before then, they travel to Bishops Cleeve tomorrow night (7.45pm).