The Skrill Premier

Salisbury City 1

Lincoln City 2

Half time: 0-0

SUBSTITUTE Danny Rowe inspired Lincoln City to come from behind with a late winner which all but ended Salisbury’s slim chance of making the play-offs.

The striker emerged from the technical area - five minutes after Jamie White had made the breakthrough – to win his side a free kick on the edge of the area.

Sean Newton’s spectacular set piece put the visiting side on level terms, before Rowe popped up with a cute finish in stoppage time to steal a seldom away victory and complete the comeback.

Despite City’s depleted team, having just four substitutes for the umpteenth time this season, they made an encouraging start in the first 15 minutes as White and Chris McPhee, who later was bandaged up with a bruised eye, had half bites at visiting keeper Nick Townsend.

White curled one from distance just minutes before the whistle went, and Elliott Frear was left scratching his head when he got himself in a good position inside the danger zone but fired a missile wide.

They hassled and harried after the interval and were given their reward in the 62nd minute when White’s perseverance landed a goal following his charge down on Nat Brown, who paid the penalty for stuttering when needing to scramble clear.

But the lead was short-lived as eight minutes later the visitors were on level terms through Newton’s dipping effort.

The momentum was with Lincoln and, with City losing James Clarke and Kevin Amankwaah to injury there was no alternative but for midfielder Chris McPhee to slot into centre-half and Stuart Sinclair in at right back, Rowe delivered the goods.

The sore defeat means Salisbury are without a home win in five matches and fall into 11th place.

Boss Mikey Harris explained: “It’s hugely disappointing to lose any game at home but, unfortunately, injuries have cost us.”

“Our threadbare squad became apparent when you lose two players out of the back four and bring in two midfielders to fill those positions.

“You are always going to be struggling - and unfortunately Lincoln piled on the pressure in the last part of the second half and we succumbed.

“However, I’m not going to criticise the lads, certainly with the way things are at the moment, the way they’ve applied themselves is fantastic.”

Salisbury (4-4-2): Bittner, Amankwaah (Fitchett, 73), Wilson (c), Clarke (Wellard, 79), Brett, Lewis, S.Sinclair, Frear, McPhee, Sheringham, White.

Subs not used: Puddy, Flint.

Scorer: White (62).

Att: 952.

Referee: Craig Hicks (Sutton).

Shots on: 3/3 Shots off: 1/2 Corners: 3/3 Offsides: 0/2 Fouls: 11/6 Yellow cards: 0/1