SALISBURY City's lengthy un-beaten league run came to a halt at fellow title chasers Histon on Saturday when they suffered a 2-1 defeat - their first reverse in the Eastern Division since September.

Whites manager Nick Holmes was forced to make a number of changes for the trip to Cam-bridgeshire due to the suspensions of Wayne Turk and Adam Wallace, plus late illnesses to John Purches and Steve Strong.

Histon took a first half lead which Craig Davis cancelled out with a 55th minute goal.

However, a controversial pen-alty secured the points for the home side and took them back into third place above City.

Holmes will be hoping for a positive response from his side when they take on Ashford Town at Old Sarum on Saturday and at Hastings United on Tuesday evening.

The City boss says he is confident his side are capable of launching another impressive sequence of results which will get their promotion push back on track.

Holmes, who was due to watch Ashford at Erith & Belvedere on Tuesday, said: "I don't know much about either team, particularly Hastings because they came down last year, but we must approach both games with the right attitude and mentality. It's unfortunate the way our run ended, but it would be nice to get on another one, so here we go again."

The return of defender Michael Cooper at Histon was a welcome boost after a lengthy knee injury, but Holmes says he will continue to be busy in the transfer market despite Bash-ley's reluctance to sell Aaron Cook.

He added: "We didn't expect Michael to play as many minutes as he did so that was a bonus. He got through it with no ill effects, but we are still looking at strengthening all areas of the team, not just our defence.

"The Aaron Cook saga has been well documented, but there are others that haven't been in the papers and that's the best way. We won't be bullied into any deals though."

Rumours that Nationwide Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers are interested in signing City striker Adam Wallace have been played down by Holmes.

"No one from the club has been in touch with me about Adam," admitted the Salisbury manager.