ALTHOUGH Salisbury City's first official pre-season friendly ended in a 3-0 defeat, manager Nick Holmes was more than happy with his side's performance last night against a very strong Southampton XI.

Trailing 1-0 at the interval to a Jason Euell goal, Saints hammered home their second half supremacy with further efforts by Bradley Wright-Phillips and David McGoldrick.

"It was a great work out for us - just what I'd wanted," said Holmes.

"I thought we matched them in every department in the first half and we were unfortunate to go in a goal down at the break."

Matt Tubbs forced Southampton goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski to make a good low save on 14 minutes with a well struck shot, Chris Perry turning the loose ball away for a corner.

On 40 minutes Euell broke the deadlock with a cool finish on the left after being played through by Paul Wotton.

Matt Robinson almost levelled for City on the stroke of half time but headed into the side netting from a Liam Feeney corner.

As expected, both teams made numerous changes in the second half.

"They're a little bit ahead of us in terms of fitness, so I wasn't particularly worried about the result," added the former Southampton star.

"The Saints youngsters at the end were particularly impressive - it's ironic that we probably matched them better when we were playing their more regular first teamers.

"We've seen many of the Saints youngsters develop over the years when we've played pre-season friendlies with them and it looks like the new management at the club will give them a chance in the first team this season."

Holmes added: "There is a gulf between the two clubs but it's closed over the past couple of years.

"It was a good game from our perspective and hopefully Southampton were pleased with how it went too.

"It was a highly competitive contest and certainly the best training session we've had yet."

Just over 1,300 supporters were at the Ray Mac for the game.

"That was a great turnout and I think they would have enjoyed it."