SALISBURY FC have slipped down to fourth place in the league following their 2-1 defeat against Larkhall Athletic, but manager Steve Claridge was pleased with the performance and believes his side will still gain promotion.

The Whites did remain second on Saturday following the result but with Bristol Manor Farm and Evesham United winning on Tuesday evening it has bumped the Whites down two places.

Salisbury’s league home form has not been great recently, but Claridge believes his side will now push on as there is belief back in the side.

He said: “I think we are at a stage when we say no matter who we play against we will beat them, because we are good enough to do that.

“We will be a tough side to beat and I genuinely believe that.

“There is now belief in the side that there wasn’t four weeks ago, it’s a different team it’s a different feel.”

He added: “I believe the home form will change now.

“It’s not a worry to me now, I’m probably the most comfortable I’ve been all season with what we’ve got.”

The Whites have 27 points from their opening 14 games, having won eight, drawn three and lost three and Claridge said: “We have dropped far too many points and a lot of the time I’ve got to say, it hasn’t been because we have played badly.

“I don’t judge games on results I judge games on performances and to be fair we have not had a thing go for us this season.”

Adding: “We have had to earn everything, nobody has given us anything we haven’t had one bit of luck.

“It’s got to change and things have got to go our way and when they do people will need to watch out.”

Salisbury’s next game is away at Cinderford Town, as they look to close the gap on Taunton Town at the top.