The Skrill Premier

Salisbury 2

Nuneaton Town 1

HARD-WORKING Salisbury City took full advantage of some calamitous defending to clock their first league double in Skrill Premier after coming from behind to replicate September’s 2-1 victory over fellow play-off challengers Nuneaton Town.

Elliott Frear, who netted the dramatic winner at the Sperrin Brewery Stadium, was on hand to poke home the winner nine minutes after the restart.

Assisting the winger to produce the priceless three points – their 11th league win out of 15 matches at the Ray Mac - was Jamie White, cancelling out Daniel Sleath’s opener in the first half.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the result but I think the performance could have been better, if I’m being completely picky,” admitted Whites manager Mikey Harris.

“I’m disappointed with their first goal as it was offside.

“Second-half, I changed a few things around and was very pleased to get the points. Kevin will be disappointed with the goals conceded but that’s not our problem.

“I had a feeling Elliott would score today and he did. It’s nice to get our first league double of the season and hopefully we can get a few more.”

City, now in eighth position, are two points off the top five, which is a place Whites’ boss Mikey Harris is targeting, but needs more support from the city as Saturday saw them record a woeful attendance of 740.

He added: “We’re in a great position and we have 18 games left this season and let’s see what we can do.”

“We’ve got a capable squad here, hard working and a great team spirit. If we could just get the city to back us a little bit more, who knows, we might find ourselves in the play-offs for a second season running. It’ll be a big ask as we are up against some big teams.”

“If the club wants to progress we won’t be able to do that on crowds of 750 to 800. We need to bring it up to the 1,000 mark.”

Town, in their all red strip, sprinted off the starting blocks, creating plentiful chances and pressing City.

James Armson and Louis Moult were the first to lace efforts towards Will Puddy’s rearguard but were miscued.

Despite Salisbury having a couple of niggles in front goal, containing Theo Lewis’ diving header, Moult turned provider with a terrific cross for Sleath, who initially got his feet tangled, to pin-roll into the bottom corner for the opener as the offside protests were overlooked.

The lead was blown apart three minutes before the interval as White pounced on Gareth Dean’s catastrophic backwards header to lash home.

City took the initiative, reshuffling at half time, to find themselves leading in the 52nd minute. More careless defending from the visitors allowed White to counter attack and unselfishly slot in Frear, who made no mistake in converting.

Armson sprung Puddy into action late on and the impact of substitute Phil Trainer boosted the Nun’s chances of earning a draw, but the defensive mistakes were too late to resolve.

City head to FC Halifax on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Salisbury City: (4-4-2): Puddy, MacDonald, Dutton (R.Sinclair h-t), Wilson (c), Clarke, Lewis, Brett, Kamdjo, Frear, White (Wright 88), Feeney (Fitchett, 63).

Subs not used: Bittner, Wellard.

Scorers: White (42), Frear (54).

Att: 740.

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley (Wickford).

Star man: Elliott Frear.

Half time: 1-1.

MATCH FACTS:

Shots on: 3/3 Shots off: 3/5 Corners: 6/3 Offsides: 2/1 Fouls: 6/6 Yellow cards: Nuneaton (2): Walker (26)