ROB Sinclair's goal on the stroke of half-time denied Swindon Town the county bragging rights as Salisbury City lifted the Wiltshire Premier Shield in Thursday's final at Old Sarum.

The Luton Town loanee reacted first after Robins goalkeeper Phil Smith could only parry a fierce Marvin Brown strike.

Sinclair, watched by his Hatters boss Mick Harford, coolly took the ball beyond Smith before slotting it into an empty net.

The lead was no more than the Whites deserved against the Coca-Cola League One side who fielded more than half-a-dozen players with first team experience including former Port Vale and Hull City striker Billy Paynter.

An immaculately observed minute's silence in memory of long-time Salisbury supporter Les Sanger, preceded the contest.

Whites, with only a handful of first team regulars in the starting line-up, certainly looked the more focussed of the sides and could have taken an early lead when Sinclair's header following an inch-perfect Liam Feeney cross from the left flashed just wide of the target.

But Swindon went even closer shortly afterwards - Sofiane Zaboub rattling the post with a rasping shot.

Smith saved well to deny Oli Barnes scoring when he connected with Feeney's corner.

Wilton official Roger East reached for his pocket to show both Barnes and defensive partner Tim Bond yellow cards in quick succession although a talking to would probably have sufficed on both occasions.

City skipper for the evening Mike Fowler also followed them into the referee's book in the second half and again the punishment seemed somewhat harsh in a game which rarely came to the boil.

Fowler linked well with Feeney whose terrific run and shot forced another corner for the hosts.

Just as two minutes added time were indicated, Brown went for goal but the well-placed Smith could only parry the ball into the path of the ever-alert Sinclair. The young Luton midfielder made no mistake in netting his second goal in his 16 games on loan with the Whites.

Just past the hour mark Feeney made way for Andy Sandell, who was making his first appearance in a month since suffering an injury against Aldershot Town.

He picked up where Feeney had left off and continued to torment Swindon's full back.

Salisbury had shown more desire throughout and always looked comfortable despite holding such a slender lead. However, any threat the tie might go to extra-time evaporated when James Bittner made a crucial diving save in the closing seconds.

Swindon's first team will return to the Ray Mac on July 23 for a pre-season friendly.

12:21pm Friday 2nd May 2008

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