PROMOTION hopefuls Weston-super-Mare made light work of Salisbury at the weekend, the title challengers romping to a 3-1 win.

An early lead for the hosts via Scott Laird was added to by a quickfire brace shortly after the hour mark courtesy of a Marlon Jackson strike and Dayle Grubb penalty.

Josh Wakefield restored some pride for the Whites, but his consolation goal in the 87th minute had little impact on the result.

Salisbury were looking for a second win under Brian Dutton after earning their first victory of the new regime with a midweek victory over Hanwell Town.

Latest signing Callum Rowe was handed a debut at left-back, whilst Calvin Brooks continued his step up from injury with his first start of the campaign.

Injuries continued to leave their mark on the Whites, however, with striker Brandon Goodship ruled out, paving the way for Dan Fitchett to return to the starting XI.

Hopes of building on the win over Hanwell were quickly dented when Weston took a sixth-minute lead.

A hanging ball into the box from former Cardiff City youngster Lloyd Humphries left the Salisbury defence hapless, defender Laird steering into the box to head home the opener.

The hosts thought they had a second when veteran striker Reuben Reid steered home James Dodd’s free-kick on 20 minutes, but the linesman’s flag denied Weston a second.

Whites were still on the back foot despite the reprieve, Salisbury keeper Gerard Benfield steering over Reid’s powerful effort to keep the score at 1-0.

The score remained the same into the second-half, with Benfield again called into action either side of the break to deny Grubb.

Weston made it two when they punished Salisbury for losing possession from their own free-kick on the half-way line.

Jackson’s strike found the back of the net via a combination of the bar and Benfield.

Minutes later, Sam Roberts fouled Reid inside the area, allowing Grubb to step and convert the resultant penalty.

With the game effectively over, Wakefield popped up three minutes from time to poke home Seokjae Lee’s through ball.