INDIVIDUAL errors cost relegation-threatened Salisbury RFC as they were condemned to a 38-27 defeat by Newton Abbott in National League 3 South West.

Green and Whites had battled for huge periods but were punished for mistakes in their seventh successive defeat.

The first try summed up their lacklustre start to the campaign when a telegraphed pass was picked off for a canter under the posts for the hosts.

Hard-work, led by Rob Best, created pressure for the visitors and from a lineout Tom Burnham celebrated his debut with a try, converted by Tom Lane.

With the scores level, a lapse of concentration let the Devon outfit in again before a searing break from Ollie Bowden sent Dan Hammond away and Lane was up in support to score.

The hosts stretched their lead but Lane kicked a penalty to stay in touch 21-15 at half time.

Newton Abbott scored twice to push the lead to 18 points and then the visitors came back, first with a try for Jon Goldsmith following a clever chip from Bowden, converted by Lane, before Bowden finished off a good move himself to slash the lead eight points.

However, another error gave the home side a penalty and they were able to grind out the final few minutes for a victory.

Salisbury remain in the relegation zone, but a win on Saturday at home to high-flying Dings Crusaders could lift them out (2.30pm).

Elsewhere, Salisbury United continue to shift up the standings in Dorset and Wilts 1 South after a third consecutive victory at home to Dorchester 27-17.

First half tries from Chris Miller, Mike Dauwalder, Jake McConnell and Jamie Wright, the last converted by Richard Knight, set them on their way.

However, mistakes by the home side allowed Dorchester to fight back before skipper Richard Roe’s late score made things safe.