AN expectant crowd of 610 at Old Sarum was made to wait on Monday evening as the Bristol City team arrived after the scheduled kick-off time of 7.45pm, for their friendly with Salisbury City.

However, the visitors showed no signs of travel fatigue when the game started at 8.10pm, taking the lead inside three minutes.

Leroy Lita's pace got him to the byline and Kevin Bush could only divert the cross into his own net as he tried to clear.

AFC Bournemouth's Matt Tubbs, at Salisbury with a view to a possible move, and Adam Wallace both came close with lofted shots that were not quite high enough to beat the 'keeper.

After 26 minutes, the energetic Tubbs saw David Coupe off his line and hit an audacious 30-yarder that clipped the bar with the 'keeper scrambling back.

At the other end Kevin Sawyer saved comfortably from Lita, while Tubbs went close again with a low shot that was tipped around the post, although the referee gave only a goal kick.

Shortly before the interval, the Whites were back on level terms when Wallace equalised with a header from Scott Bartlett's cross.

The home side were matching what was essentially a Bristol City reserve side, and Wallace and Josh Thomas both went close in the early stages of the second half.

Sawyer denied Jermaine Brown, recently released by Arsenal, before the goalkeeper felled Marvin Brown just outside the box on 58 minutes.

The Robins re-took the lead on 73 minutes, albeit against the run of play, when Jermaine Brown got to a ball in the Whites box before Sawyer and stroked it home.

Salisbury refused to lie down. Substitute Sam Allyson's low drive earned a corner, and there were then loud appeals for hand ball in the area.

City kept up the pressure. Stuart Brown headed over and he also hooked a shot too close to Coupe in the dying minutes.

Salisbury boss Nick Holmes said afterwards: "I think it's a question of match fitness. Our sharpness and movement was good, and our passing was sometimes good.

"Although we lost we can take a few good points. For some of the younger players that came on, it's good to give them experience of playing in front of 600 people instead of 60."

On the impressive display by Tubbs, he added: "He is a good player and he suits the way we play, but I think a lot of other clubs are interested in him."

Holmes' side were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline 24 hours later when Basingstoke Town visited the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

Leigh Phillips blasted a spot kick at the Town 'keeper on 25 minutes after Steve Strong had been felled by Scott Tarr.

James Bristowe headed the only goal of the game in the 71st minute to secure victory for the Ryman Premier Division outfit.

Whites continue their pre-season build up on Friday with their traditional friendly against neighbours Bemerton Heath Harlequins at Western Way.

Saturday sees them visit Winchester City ahead of Monday evening's trip to Team Bath.

Two goals by striker Leigh Philips plus a Stewart Taylor goal helped Salisbury to a 3-1 victory over near-neighbours Downton on Thursday evening.

Matt Guy scored The Robins' late consolation.

City registered the same scoreline on Saturday in their friendly with AFC Totton.

Roger Emms and Gary Funnell have both signed contracts keeping them at the club for at least another season. Kevin Bush, 22, a former City youth team player, has also been signed by the club.

Laverstock & Ford's excellent build up to the new season continued with a 1-1 draw against Wessex League opponents AFC Totton.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins entertain Crystal Palace on Monday at Western Way, kick off is 7.30pm.