SALISBURY followed weekend victory with midweek defeat in the Southern League, continuing their mixed start to the campaign.

There were 556 fans watching on at the Ray Mac on Saturday as Steve Claridge’s Whites defeated newly-promoted Bracknell Town 2-1.

An early strike from striker Sam Ashton after 13 minutes was quickly cancelled out by the away side, with Jordan Espirit equalising in the 22nd minute.

Captain Darren Mullings popped up with what proved to be the winner nine minutes after the restart, fastening on to a cross from Sam Roberts inside the box.

Away at fellow newcomers Plymouth Parkway on Tuesday it was a different story, with the Whites falling to a 3-1 defeat, handing a first league victory of the season to the Devon outfit.

Benjamin Seymour opened scores for the hosts after 20 minutes, with the remaining goals confined to the final 30 minutes of the game.

Parkway doubled their lead on 65 minutes via Michael Williams, before Salisbury threatened to spark a comeback just four minutes later, through Charlie Davis.

However, the next goal would be scored by Plymouth, who made sure of the result deep in injury time when Jack Crago popped up to finish the rebound from Seymour’s initial effort.

Three points from the two games leaves Claridge’s charges seventh after nine league games, with five wins and four defeats.

The Whites also learnt who they were paired up with in the FA Trophy, being handed another trip to Bolitho Park to face Parkway’s tenants, Truro City in the third qualifying round.

With Parkway also handed a home draw with fellow Southern League Premier South side Dorchester Town, the exact date of Salisbury’s return to Devon is up in the air, with fixtures to be staged the weekend commencing Saturday, October 8.

Winning sides will receive £2,450, whilst teams knocked out at the last qualifying stage will still earn £625.

Salisbury do not return to action now until their clash with Truro, due to the fact they have a blank weekend this Saturday.

  • BEMERTON Heath Harlequins progressed in the FA Vase with a thumping 3-0 win at Fleetlands, before crashing out of the Wessex League Cup, losing 4-0 to Brockenhurst.

Laverstock & Ford won in both competitions, beating Andover Town 4-2 in the Vase, before a 2-0 win at Totton & Eling in the League Cup.

Amesbury Town were dumped out of the Vase with a 4-0 loss at Newport.