SALISBURY FC remain third in the league following their 0-0 draw against Evesham United on Saturday.

But to add insult to injury, Whites playmaker Chris Shephard was stretchered off in the 39th minute, with a recurring hamstring injury.

The Whites started the game looking to close the gap on league leaders Taunton Town, and had two early chances to take the lead with shots from Shephard and Lewis Benson, but Evesham keeper Kevin Sawyer did well to save.

George Colson also went very close but his header from a corner went just wide of the post.

Kane O'Keefe had the best chance of the half, but his back heel cannoned off the root of the post and was cleared.

Just before half time, Shephard pulled up and was replaced by returning Marvin Brooks.

Only six minutes into the second half, the Whites were again forced to make a substitution, with Benson leaving the pitch to be replaced by Claudio Herbert.

Stuart Green was introduced on 64 minutes, and did manage to put the ball into the back of the net on 72 minutes, poking home following a shot from Brooks, only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside.

With the clock ticking, Herbert had a fantastic chance to win the game for the Whites in the 81st minute, but he blazed his shot over the bar, following good pressure from Salisbury.

In the final minutes of the game the Worcestershire side had chances of their own to score the winner, but failed to find the back of the net.

The game ended in a stalemate, with both sides taking away a point each, in a game in which the Whites should feel like they could have won.

The gap at the top now stretches to seven points, with Taunton leading the way closely followed by Bristol Manor Farm in second who are on 25 points, just four points above the Whites.

Salisbury will be looking to bounce back to their winning ways when they visit Winchester City, who are in fifth place, on Friday, October 27 (7.45pm).