SALISBURY City's second 1-1 home draw in a week was beset by some all-too-familiar headline-making decisions, with Banbury player boss Kevin Brock red carded just over a minute after coming on, writes Ryan Lovejoy.

Frustrated Whites manager Nick Holmes, said: "Their whole second half performance had been about time wasting, and by bringing himself on in the last minute he used a few extra seconds because he had to go back to get his studs and everything checked.

"Within 90 seconds he had got himself sent off for arguing that they should have had a penalty.

"It was one of the shortest substitute appearances ever."

Mark Simms had hit the bar for Bashley before they took the lead just a minute before the break through Andrew Stidder.

In the second half Matt Tubbs headed against the woodwork, and he had an effort ruled out for offside before equalising from Stuart James' 80th-minute cross.

Holmes added: "I thought Tubbsy's header was a perfectly good goal. Only the linesman thought it was offside and it was one of the poorest decisions I have ever seen. Our subs were warming up nearby and they said he was five yards onside."

The game was almost postponed due to heavy rain, but groundstaff worked hard to make sure it went ahead.

"We knew the pitch would be dodgy but we got it playable, although it is in an awful state now," said Holmes.

"We have played all the football in the last two games and looked much the better team, but only got a draw each time. If I was being critical, I could say that our final ball should be better, but I couldn't ask for much more in terms of team work and passing."

On Friday, Whites head to near-neighbours Bashley for a Boxing Day derby which kicks off at 3pm.

The club's reserves have applied to join the Sydenhams Wessex Combination for 2004/05 after a fragmented campaign in the Severnside League.

Holmes commented: "The Severnside League has not been taken seriously enough, and we have had too many games postponed at short notice.

"It's just not been worth it and I have been trying to organise friendlies against local clubs who have to be of a certain standard."