POMPEY manager Paul Cook has backed the Whites for success this season after being impressed by their display at the Ray Mac on Tuesday night.

Salisbury frustrated their League Two opposition throughout the friendly before an Eddie Perrett header with 18 minutes left earned the Whites a 2-2 draw.

Cook, who played a strong side featuring nine first team players, praised opposite number Steve Claridge for the squad he has assembled over the past 12 months.

“It was a great night for Salisbury, they have been excellent on the night and they can look forward to the season with great optimism,” he said.

“They did well, they have a good team shape about them, a good work ethic and they carried a threat in terms of open play.

“Steve has done great in getting the promotion and I think it is good when you get promotion to have a look at the league you are going in and build nice and slow. I think Steve has done a great job here and hopefully can go on and take things a lot further.

“I think it is good that clubs in our area should come to these grounds and play teams, it is a great night for supporters of both clubs and one which should be enjoyed.”

The friendly was organised by Pompey legend Claridge, who received a warm welcome from the travelling Blues supporters.

Claridge scored 36 goals in 114 appearances for his home-town club after originally being released as a youngster following injury.

“We probably had two chances and scored two goals,” he said.

“But I think as the game went we got a grip of the game, we need a bit of luck which we had but we probably earned the draw through hard work.

“[Cook] has promised to come down on a Saturday next year, which is marvellous, and they will bring a couple of thousand for that. So for us it was job done, we made a couple of bob and had a fantastic work out, all part and parcel of what we are trying to do — mission accomplished.”

The Whites were hammered by Basingstoke Town on Saturday which Claridge admitted was because he had overtrained the side at training on Thursday.

“They were knackered and we were up against a full-time side who were better than us,” he added.

“I think it was much better today, they looked much fitter and much stronger.”

Claridge admitted he was impressed by trialist centre back Lee Angel and confirmed he was still looking for another forward and a winger to add to the squad.