A TERRIFIC strike from talisman Lewis Benson saw Salisbury leapfrog Saturday's victims Shortwood United and move to within one place of the play-offs in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West.

The midfielder struck the only goal of the game on 25 minutes with a driven effort for a 1-0 victory over their promotion-rivals.

After completing back-to-back victories, Whites are now up to sixth, five points behind Swindon Supermarine at the halfway point of the season.

Benson was influential early on, setting up loanee Mason Walsh who hooked over from close-range.

Walsh, proving a threat on the left wing, then cut inside and hit a tame shot straight into the body of Rhys Lovett.

At the other end, Shortwood mustered two good opportunities in quick succession.

Antonio Alcarez Zamora had his header hooked off the line by Justin Bennett before Will Morford profited from George Colson's slip-up but his shot was pushed away by Alex Bass.

Those misses proved crucial as Benson, who has started in every league game for Steve Claridge, found space on the left handside, cut in and drilled a low effort into the bottom corner.

Moments later, Walsh thought he had doubled the home side's lead when, following a goalmouth scramble, was denied from six yards out by Lovett and then the post before the danger was cleared.

Salisbury had chances to kill the game off in what was a flat second half. Kieran Parselle stabbed wide and then Walsh had his shot blocked inside the penalty box.

Bennett and Tom Whelan had double efforts late on as Whites couldn't find an elusive second goal.

Shortwood finished the game with ten men following a needless melee which resulted in Brandon Mundy being booked and Ed Weeks being dismissed for a second booking.

At full-time, Steve Walker, who announced he's departing the Ray Mac, was clapped off by the fans in an emotional farewell.

Whites are in Wiltshire Senior Cup action tomorrow night when they host Amesbury Town in the quarter final (7.45pm).

Salisbury FC: Bass, Colson, Parselle, Whelan, Roberts, Wheeler, Benson, O'Keefe (Perrett, 74), Mundy, Bennett, Walsh (Herbert, 60).

Subs unused: Flint, Onoufriou, Ball.

Scorer: Benson (25).

Referee: Colin Hubbard (Little Canford).

Att: 574.