THE body language of both managers after Saturday's match between Salisbury City and Burton Albion certainly summed up how they felt about their respective sides' display.

Nick Holmes and Nigel Clough - both former professionals who graced the game at the highest level shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, but the emotions they were experiencing were poles apart.

While the Salisbury boss was enthusing about a thoroughly professional performance,' which secured a 2-0 win, avenging the early season defeat by the Brewers, Burton player-manager Clough, coat zipped up to his chin, slammed his charges' display as rubbish.' "It was a thoroughly professional display," smiled Holmes, who had urged City to finally come of age and claim the scalp of one of the top five Blue Square Premier sides.

"To a man everyone played for each other and it was good to see. It was a really good all-round performance."

Second half goals by Mike Fowler and Robbie Matthews did the trick, and Holmes was particularly pleased with the contribution of striker Matthews, who he had promoted from the bench to the starting 11.

Matthews has been out of sorts of late, largely due to the recurrence of a jaw injury he suffered more than a year ago, for which he is awaiting surgery.

"We were without Andy Sandell today and we felt that we needed some height and strength," said Holmes. "As Robbie was getting closer to full fitness I was always going to bring him back for this one.

"He justified his selection and I'm pleased for him. He didn't get much protection from the referee but he got a goal for his troubles."

While the first half proved a sometimes tense cat and mouse affair, City shone in the second period.

"The game opened up much more in the second half," explained Holmes.

"They had a couple of shots as well, but we always looked as if we might get something."

But Holmes' opposite number was furious with his side's performance.

"I thought we were absolute rubbish.

"The first half was extremely painful to watch and I don't think we deserved anything out of the game.

"When you're not playing well, you need to keep a clean sheet and get a nil-nil to start building something again away from home, but we didn't look like getting that today.

"The pitch wasn't the best, but when you play as poorly as we did, it's very difficult to use the conditions or anything else as an excuse.

"Salisbury were the better team on the day and they deserved the three points."