SALISBURY FC couldn’t emulate the winning performance from the first day of the season, as they drew 2-2 with Paulton Rovers on the first home game of the season.

Kane O’Keefe got the Whites off to a great start in the eighth minute, but were pegged back on 26 minutes. They went 2-1 ten minutes into the second half, when Tom Whelan scored with just over 20 minutes to play.

Boss Steve Claridge named himself as one of only four substitutes, due to several injures, and made a short cameo as his side tried to find the winner in the final ten minutes.

The Whites started the game well and looked to be be in cruise control following an early goal from O’Keefe, who nodded in a great cross from Whelan.

Salisbury continued to create plenty of chances. Claudio Herbert went close, but his shot was blocked and O’Keefe could have grabbed a second but his shot could only find the side netting.

But Paulton held on and were gifted with a goal following a mix up between Jake Wannell and Charlie Searle in goal, which Joe Hillard pounced on to poke home through the legs of Searle.

The Whites started the second half well, but found themselves 2-1 on 56 minutes. Kailan Gould, who was on trial with the Whites during pre-season, found the back of the net following some neat passing between him and Omar Simpson.

Salisbury were only behind for just over ten minutes, as Whelan found space on the edge of the area and then smashed the ball into the bottom right corner to get the Whites back on level terms.

Claridge came on for Mark Francis and could have scored the winner very late on but for a goalline scramble which kept the scores level.