Eastbourne ensured that Salisbury will head into the final Saturday of the Vanarama National League season only just outside of the relegation places.
Goal difference is the only thing keeping Brian Dutton’s side above St Albans, as the two sides, along with Enfield, are all fighting to maintain their status in the league.
Salisbury’s squad has been suffering with injuries and illness, and Dutton was forced to name himself, assistant Callum Hart and first team coach Theo Lewis on the substitutes bench.
Both sides started the game well, with both sides creating some chances, with Eastbourne having the first look at goal.
Yahaya Bamba broke down the right in the 6th minute – he whipped a good low ball into the 6-yard box, which Rhys Byrne did well to push away from the danger area. The ball dropped to Jayden Davis, whose shot was blocked, and then David Sesay couldn’t get his effort on target.
Salisbury were also making strides in attacking areas. Ronan Silva was found in the box by Tom Leggett, but the Salisbury forward was well closed down and unable to get a meaningful shot away in the 22nd minute.
Both sides created half chances as the half headed towards its conclusion, but both defences stood firm with neither keeper having to make a save of note as the teams went in goalless at half time.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with half chances for both sides – an Eastbourne effort from Alfie Pavey a warning of what was to come just a few minutes later.
Eastbourne scored the only goal of the game with 63 minutes played. Michael Klass found some room when the ball was played through to him and he slotted low past Byrne.
The best chance of the game for Salisbury fell the way of Josh Hedges just three minutes later. Finn Tonks did well down the right to cross into the box, the half-headed clearance fell to Hedges, but he couldn’t keep his volley down, and it flew over the bar.
Eastbourne thought they had doubled their lead in the 68th minute, but the referee’s assistant raised his flag after Alfie Pavey deflected Jack Clarke’s strike beyond Byrne.
Josh Hedges had one final chance to get Salisbury back into the game in the 77th minute. Hedges managed to work some space on the left-hand side of the box, but his effort whistled just wide of Joseph Wright’s far post.
Despite having more of the ball for the final part of the game, Salisbury were unable to test Wright again, and promotion-chasing Eastbourne saw the game out.
Salisbury will now head to Welling United for their final league fixture of the season, needing to match or better the result that St Albans achieve away at Truro City. Kick off is at 3 pm on Saturday, 26th April at the J Hearnden Skip Hire Community Stadium.
