THE festive period delivered the perfect present for Salisbury City manager Nick Holmes - all nine points from the three games his side played.

Holmes, a self-confessed Ebeneezer Scrooge at Christmas time, had urged his title-chasing players to give nothing away in the crucial trio of matches against Tiverton Town, Northwood and Gloucester City.

After a solitary Paul Sales header had accounted for Tiverton, two Matt Tubbs goals and a Craig Davis effort ensured City finished 2005 on a winning note against bottom of the table Northwood.

Davis was then on target again, along with Wayne Turk in City's 2-1 win at Gloucester City in their opening encounter of 2006.

The impressive nine-point haul keeps Whites top of the Southern League Premier Division two points clear of closest challengers Chippenham Town, who also enjoyed a hat-trick of wins over the Christmas and New Year period.

Whites still have a game in hand on Town and although the other promotion hopefuls all dropped points over the holiday period, Holmes does not believe the title is about to become a two-horse race.

"It'd be nice to think it was, but there's a long way to go. We haven't even played half of our games yet."

"Anyone can put together a winning run of seven or eight games and they're right back in there.

"It does set things up nicely for when we meet Chippenham next month though."

Whites host their Wiltshire rivals at Old Sarum on February 11, but before then, face the prospect of ten games in four hectic weeks.

Holmes' team face two sides from the wrong end of the table this week, kicking off at home to Aylesbury United on Saturday before Tuesday's trip to Cheshunt.

Holmes insists there is no room for complacency against opponents struggling for survival.

"It'll be just like the last two games, but if we can take maximum points again it'll make it harder for the teams chasing us."

The Cheshunt visit is City's game in hand on Chippenham, who will be involved in a Wiltshire Premier Shield semi-final tie that night.

"Our boys have worked hard, but we've got to keep on winning.

"We have to make the game in hand count."

City's own Wiltshire Premier Shield semi-final, second leg tie at home to Swindon Town on Tuesday, January 17, has been postponed due to the club's Coca Cola League One commitments.

Whites will now visit Laverstock & Ford that evening (7.45pm) for their Salisbury Hospital Cup tie.

A new date for the Swindon game will be confirmed shortly. Salisbury trail 1-0 from the first leg.