looking as if they might be missing out on their quarry when a County clearance was directed back into the goalmouth and as the defence hesitated Turk pounced.

 

Salisbury had done their homework and caused difficulties from the start with striker Robbie Matthews who dwarfed even Julian Alsop timing his sixth minute run perfectly to fire past Mark Ovendale.

 

But Damon Searle replied direct from a free-kick 25 yards out just two minutes later to get County back on terms though Salisbury with a direct and physical approach were always going to be a handful.

 

Referee Marvin Thompson did not help and he looked way out of his depth officiating at this level, and streetwise Salisbury were able to exploit his naivity.

 

With player coach Tommy Widdrington offering plenty of advice to the Northolt official name after name of County players went into his notebook.

 

He decided a lecture was enough for the perpetrator of a nasty late challenge on Ian Hillier early on but by half-time the County defender had been entered into his black book and Julian Alsop and Nathan Davies quickly followed.

 

His contribution may have offended lovers of natural justice but the impartial would also have to be say that County were being outplayed in all departments.

 

Like a wrestler with an opponent in an arm lock, Salisbury just did not let go but as time proceeded County began to believe they might not be able to deliver the killer blow.

 

Searle and Ashley Williams picked up second half cautions as did Widdrington eventually, presumably for impersonating a referee, but the introduction of Matt Green for Craig Hughes and debutant winger Richard Evans for Sam O’Sullivan inspired a brief spell of County attacking.

 

County’s best move came in the 75th minute when a neat bui;ld up between Green and Evans created the chance for Williams to force the save of the night when Ryan Clarke in the home goal tipped over the midfield player’s excellent chip shot.

 

Andrew Thomas and O’Sullivan were making respectively their 200th and 100th appearance in the County first team and they will hope that their next appearance landmark is a more memorable occasion.

 

But just when County’s unbeaten record was looking like staying, Turk struck and the points were City’s.

 

Salisbury: Clarke, Bass, Beswetherick, Cook, Bond, Widdrington, Turk, Bartlett (Haddow 61), Matthews, Tubbs, Prince.  Subs not used: Browne, Holmes, Middleton, McGregor.

 

Scorers: Matthews (6), Turk (86)

Caution: Widdrington (60)

 

County: Ovendale, Thomas, Searle, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen, Williams, Alsop, Hughes (Green 70), O’Sullivan (Evans 63).  Subs not used: Collier, Prosser, Giles.

 

Scorer: Searle (8)

Cautions: Hillier (31), Alsop (32), Davies (45), Searle (71), Williams (80).

 

Referee; Marvin Thompson (Northolt)

Attendance: 1,101.

 

County Man of the Match: Damon Searle.