THREE goals in 14 first half minutes consigned newly-promoted Salisbury FC to a 4-2 defeat in the cathedral derby with Winchester City, writes Thom Belk.

Tommy Wright had made it a perfect start for the Whites when firing home Lewis Benson's free kick that deflected into his path.

But on 25 minutes disaster struck as Whites capitulated.

A drilled free kick by Jamie Barron from 20 yards beat Will Britt at his left side to restore parity.

And four minutes later, Joe Briggs put City ahead with a close-range strike before Howard Neighbour added a third before half time.

A shell-shocked visitors pulled one back through Gosport Borough's all-time record scorer Justin Bennett, Benson the provider again with a set-piece.

Whites pressed for a leveller and came close on several occasions via Steve Walker headers but the follow-ups narrowly missed the target. They also had a strong claim for a penalty turned down.

Yet they paid the price for squandered chances three minutes from time when, following a brisk counter-attacking move, Ross Bottomley smashed the ball past Britt for Winchester.

Salisbury are back in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West action on Saturday at Taunton Town. Both sides won on the opening day but have been defeated midweek.

Whites: Britt, Wheeler (c), Parselle, Whelan, Walker, Mundy, Herbert, Benson, Wright, Bennett, Oxlade-Chamberlain.