SALISBURY'S automatic promotion hopes took a hit on Saturday as they lost at home to play-off rivals Kings Langley.

The Whites now sit in fourth place, five points off top of the table Weymouth, with both sides having played 33 games.

The game was won by a superb late winner for the away side, in a game there for Salisbury to win.

The win was probably a fair result for the visitors, but the game's early play was dominated by what seemed to be time-wasting from the Langley goalkeeper.

Langley opened the scoring after 19 minutes. Target man Rene Howe's back post header looped past the keeper and into the far corner, after some wonderful work from Lewis Putman.

A substitution by Steve Claridge after 26 minutes saw 22 year old debutant Louis McGrory removed at right back, and the Whites adopted a three man defence in a bid to try and get back into the game.

Salisbury's attacking tactic allowed them to exert plenty of pressure for the remainder of the first half, but to no avail.

A plethora of chances at the start of the second period eventually led to Lewis Benson's equaliser just before the hour mark.

A free kick right on the edge of the box came after Hopper went down from very minimal contact, and Benson curled the ball round the wall and into the net.

It seemed that Salisbury would turn the game around and secure a late winner, as seen at the Ray Mac so many times this season, but execution of their chances was poor.

Sensational goalkeeping from Hallett kept his side level, after a clearance bounced over Sommerton.

Howe capitalised, shook off the left back, and looked set to round the keeper, only for Hallett to grab it from under his feet.

Substitute Coldicott-Stevens came up with the goods for Kings Langley.

25 yards from goal, and given acres of time and space, sent the ball into the far top right hand corner, for a goal worthy of winning any game.

It was out of nowhere, against the run of play, but not wholly undeserved.

Salisbury are due to play this evening at home to Farnborough, subject to a 4pm pitch inspection.