SALISBURY FC’s promotion dream ended with a 2-0 home defeat to Tiverton Town in Division One South and West playoff final.

Despite an excellent crowd at the Ray Mac of 2,247, the Whites were unable to beat the Devon side, who scored either side of half time, with goals from Michael Landricombe and Tom Bath.

The Whites made one change to the side that beat Evesham, bringing in striker Justin Bennett, who has scored an impressive 42 goals this season.

Steve Claridge’s side should have been in front after 16 minutes, when Lewis Benson floated a cross to the far post for Tommy Wright, but the Whites' top scorer could only head into the side netting.

Taurean Roberts also went close for the Whites ten minutes later, but his shot was deflected and went out for a Salisbury corner, which came to nothing.

Benson then worked the keeper for the first time. His free kick from the left looked to be going in, but keeper Joe Perry got his gloves to it to parry it out.

With five minutes to go in the first half, Tivvy took the lead. Salisbury failed to clear a corner and the ball went back out to Nick Hurst. His cross found Landricombe ,who headed home to give the visitors the lead going into the break.

Tiverton made it 2-0 just ten minutes into the second half when Levi Landricombe got the ball in the left channel and rolled it across to Bath who tapped home.

With the fantastic home support behind them, Salisbury continued to press for a goal.

Benson orchestrated most of the Whites' attacks. His whipped ball into the box was heading for Tommy Wright, but Tiverton headed the ball behind for a corner.

The Tivvy defence failed to deal with the resulting set piece, but Bennett's overhead kick failed to trouble the keeper.

Taurean Roberts also went close but his curling effort from outside the box went just wide of the post.

Salisbury had plenty of corners but the Tiverton defence held strong and kept them out.

The Whites brought on Brandon Mundy, Claudio Herbert and Jesse Waller-Lassen but none of them could inspire a come-back and Tiverton held on for their third win over the Whites this season.

Salisbury FC will now regroup and go again next season in the Division One South and West in a bid for promotion to the Southern League Premier Division.