SALISBURY slipped to late defeat away to Truro City, exiting the FA Trophy at the first hurdle.

Rocky Neal’s 90th minute winner secured £2,450 and a place in the first round proper for Truro, with Salisbury awarded £625 for their troubles.

Preparations for the game were shunted as the tie had to be played on the abnormal day of a Sunday due to Truro’s landlords, Plymouth Parkway, also being handed a home draw in the FA Trophy.

Chances at goal were at a premium all afternoon, with neither side producing much in the early exchanges of the first period.

Goalkeeper Gerard Benfield did well to remain calm in a chaotic six-yard box, eventually quelling the danger of a goalmouth scramble initiated by Antonio Diaz’s header towards his own goal.

Salisbury’s afternoon was hampered by Ethan Sutcliffe’s removal due to injury after half-an-hour of action. The defender initially left the pitch with what looked like an ankle injury, but an subsequent x-ray showed a broken tibia and ligament damage.

The caginess of the first half spilled into the second, with neither side truly testing either goalkeeper.

Truro saw a powerful Dan Sullivan effort well saved by Benfield shortly after the hour mark, with the game seemingly destined for penalties.

Brandon Goodship came closest for the away side midway through the second half, the strikers run inside the box ultimately ending in a fired shot that had to be cleared off the line by a Truro defender.

Midfielder Josh Carmichael slipped whilst trying to control a clearance, allowing the hosts to pour forward. Eventually the ball was slipped through to striker Neal, who just about steered the ball past Benfield to send his side through to the next round.

Truro now face a trip away to another Southern League Premier South outfit, Beaconsfield Town.

The Whites are due to be in action again tonight, travelling to face Tiverton Town in the Southern League.