SALISBURY City manager Nick Holmes pulled no punches after his side went down 1-0 at home to Grays Athletic.

"It was a very poor performance," said the Whites boss, whose side are now without a league win since September 22.

"There was absolutely no spark about our boys whatsoever and it's not often you can say that."

Despite going out of the FA Cup in a replay at Stevenage Borough just four days previously, Holmes said he had been delighted with City's midweek display.

"This was as poor a performance today as that one on Tuesday was good - it was certainly at the other end of the spectrum.

"The only thing you can do is make changes. You can't allow that to happen.

"Grays were much sharper to every ball, they were hungrier. They played a little bit differently to what they have been doing all season. They brought in a couple of players and they played with a freshness.

"But there's no excuses for us being so far away from them."

Holmes was particularly disappointed as his charges had looked very lively in training ahead of the Blue Square Premier match.

"There certainly didn't seem to be a problem in training - we were lively, we looked fresh. In training they're all bright, all cocky or whatever, as they always are. There's a spark and a confidence about them. But today, once the whistle goes they show the opposite of that. It's frustrating."