Salisbury City 5-3 Eastleigh

Salisbury City: Puddy, Udoji (Brett 61), Clarke, Matthews, Hart, Lewis (Clark 87), Dutton (c), Sinclair, Frear, Fitchett (Ademeno 76), White

Subs not used: Scott, Baggridge Scorers: White (4, 38) Lewis (11) Fitchett (67) Ademeno (79)

Att: 887

SALISBURY City entered the New Year in a flash style, turning out 5-3 victors in a pulsating derby showdown at Old Sarum.

Jamie White made it 13 for the season, slotting home Elliott Frear’s cross inside four minutes, and Theo Lewis doubled his side’s advantage with a corker seven minutes later.

The Spitfires pulled one back through James Clarke’s own goal just after the half-hour mark, but White put the hosts back in the ascendancy with a deflected effort.

But despite such a promising start from the leaders, things went horribly wrong before the break. Two goals in the space of two minutes from Richard Pacquette and Jai Reason made it three a piece.

Dan Fitchett restored Whites’ lead with a sweet effort and in a firework finale, substitute Charles Ademeno caused a humongous racket at the Ray Mac to conclude the eight-goal thriller and remain two points clear at the height of Blue Square Bet South.