SALISBURY followed up their 5-0 humiliation at second-bottom Merthyr Town with another defeat, this time 2-0 away to promotion-chasing Hayes & Yeading.

At the weekend, Salisbury capitulated and were soundly beaten away in the Welsh valleys, but on Tuesday night they put up more of a fight and battled well against the free-scoring side from west London, writes Andy Munns.

Salisbury’s injury woes continued with Darren Mullings and Calvin Brooks both a doubt before kick-off, both unsure to start even after the team sheets had been released, however, they both did start the game.

Hayes & Yeading are the highest scoring side in Southern League Premier and during an entertaining first half, the Whites held their opponents at 0-0, though both sides created chances.

The home side created the first chance on 10 minutes, when Moses Emmanuel shot over from a good position in the box.

Salisbury had a great chance to take the lead on 16 minutes when a loose ball found its way to Josh Wakefield, but his strike kindly deflected into the arms of Ravan Constable in the Hayes goal.

With the game level at the break, the home side made a change with Francis Amartey replacing Kadell Daniels and the substitute almost opened the scoring inside the first minute of the half, hitting the post after a good through ball from Emmanuel.

It was Emmanuel who made the breakthrough as roles reversed. It was Amartey who teed up the chance for Emmanuel to blast home after 66 minutes, his 35th goal of the season.

Hayes doubled their lead with seven minutes on the clock and put the game to bed as Amartey picked up a lovely pass from Omar Rowe, rounded Patrick O’Flaherty in the Salisbury goal before applying the finish to make it 2-0.

The result leaves Salisbury 14th in the table with four games remaining of the campaign, the first of which is yet another away game and a trip to Harrow Borough on Saturday.