Salisbury fell to defeat at the hands of high-flying Weston-super-Mare, who ran out two-goal winners in a game not without controversy.
Brian Dutton was forced into a change in midfield, with Ryan Penny missing out after coming off injured against Dorking, whilst Luke Wilkinson returned to the heart of defence with Callum Watts making way.
The game was settled by two goals in the second half, but Salisbury were denied a first half goal by the assistant referee when Josh Hedges looked well on-side.
Weston looked the better of the two sides in the opening exchanges without ever really cutting Salisbury open, a combination of good defending and misplaced passes kept the visitors at arms lengths.
Salisbury didn’t threaten much either, the home side looking leggy after their heroics at the weekend, though they did have the ball in the back of the net in the 38th minute.
A throw-in on the right was then whipped into the box. Noah Coppin’s shot was blocked, then Jordan Ragguette’s follow-up was well saved by Max Harris in the Weston goal. The rebound fell kindly for Josh Hedges who slotted home, only for the referee’s assistant to raise his flag for offside. Replays show that Hedges was at least a yard on side.
The Seagulls created their best chance with a minute left of the first half, James Hilson saving well from a Nicholas McCootie header, and the sides headed in level at halftime.
Salisbury started the second half the better of the two sides but didn’t fully test Harris. Ragguette was blocked after good build-up play from Hedges, and it was Hedges again who crossed low, but the onrushing Coppin couldn’t get to his dangerous ball across the 6-yard box.
The deadlock was broken in the 78th minute, again not without controversy.
The visitors whipped in a corner, and the ball was headed back towards goal. Weston striker Ruben Reid, in an offside position, stood right on top of Hillson, who fell backwards. The clearance off the line cannons into the back of the White’s stopper and into the back of the net.
Weston doubled their lead when Hillson failed to gather a corner whipped in from the left, and Kieran Thomas pounced and smashed the ball home in the 88th minute.
Salisbury could not muster a fightback this time the game ended in the first league defeat for Salisbury since Farnborough at the start of September.
Brian Dutton’s team travel to Chelmsford City on Saturday – kick off is at 3pm.
