TEENAGE stopper Alex Bass had a catastrophic afternoon as Salisbury's emphatic comeback was undone after Bideford snatched a last-gasp equaliser and a point from a topsy-turvy 4-4 draw.

Whites had turned round a two-goal deficit to lead for the first time before the Portsmouth loanee flapped Ian Sampson's looping cross in the 94th minute - the last kick of the game.

The home side dominated early possession with Tommy Wright clipping the woodwork and a hatful of chances being squandered.

But, against the run of play, the North Devon visitors struck first in the 15th minute.

Sean Downing's speculative effort caught out Bass, whose loan spell from parent club Pompey was extended by four months in the week.

Kevin Squire should have doubled the visitors' lead when his close-range strike ricocheted off the post.

But it was Whites who hit back through Sam Roberts, the midfielder unleashing a rasping volley past Josh Colwill on the half hour mark.

Moments later, a rash foul from Steve Walker resulted in a free kick that skipper James Richards took, and his drilled effort was helped in by Bass.

And things went from bad to worse for the hosts two minutes into the second period when Ben Watson crusaded into the area and his angled drive rifled into the roof of the net.

Whites refused to lie down and two goals in a frenetic three-minute spell saw them restore parity. Justin Bennett headed home Kieran Parselle's delightful delivery before Kane O'Keefe, last week's makeshift goalkeeper, slotted in from close-range.

And on 73 minutes, Lewis Benson looked like he had grabbed the matchwinner with a glancing header to complete the fightback.

More chances arrived as Parselle saw his header saved off the line and Brandon Mundy was later wiped out in the area, but no penalty was given.

At the other end, Sam Stephens, with the goal at his mercy, misfired before the visiting bench went berserk in the last minute of stoppage time as the leveller arrived in the unlikeliest manner. Sampson's cross, which was missed by 18-year-old Bass, crept over the line to end a pulsating eight-goal feast at the Ray Mac.

On the full-time whistle, Whites Boss Steve Claridge vented his frustration at referee Stephen Graham, who was at the centre of numerous controversial decisions.

"The keeper gave it away," Claridge told JournalSport.

"I will take a mistake but I won't take a lack of courage. I'm gutted for everyone.

"Two people let us down today. We'll put a complaint in about the referee and ask he never, ever comes here again."

The result sees Whites slip into sixth in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West table.

Meanahile, Hereford remain top after a 2-0 victory at Winchester City, who swooped for free agent Robbie Matthews.

Salisbury: Bass, Herbert (Bennett ht), Parselle, Whelan, Walker, Wheeler, Benson, O'Keefe (Perrett 87), Wright (Mehew 78), Roberts, Mundy.

Subs not used: Rusher & Leigh.

Scorers: Roberts (28), Bennett (56), O'Keefe (59), Benson (73).

Att: 630.

Referee: Stephen Graham (Totton).