SALISBURY City will resume their bid for promotion back to the Dr Martens Premier Division without the services of influential midfielder Tyronne Bowers who this week completed his ex-pected move to Eastleigh.

The Jewson Wessex League champions are believed to have made the player an offer he couldn't refuse to join Paul Doswell's outfit in the Dr Marten's Eastern Division next season.

Bowers, who made more than 200 appearances for the Whites in his four seasons at Old Sarum, was able to leave the club for free on a Bosman ruling after his contract expired.

"I've had some good times at Salisbury, but needed a fresh challenge," he said.

The former AFC Bourne-mouth trainee has been one of City's most consistent players in recent seasons and Whites boss Nick Holmes, who this week heads back to his home in Florida for a well-deserved break, admitted he was sorry to lose the services of the popular player.

It is understood that the club were simply unable to match the wages Eastleigh had offered Bowers.

"We are disappointed to lose Tyronne, but wish him well for the future," said Holmes. "We would, of course, keep the door open for him at Salisbury if he should ever decide to come back to us."

Salisbury's newly re-formed reserve team, which were refused re-entry to the Wessex Combination League, have been accepted into the Severnside League for the 2003-4 season.

They will line up in a strong-looking league alongside teams representing Bath City, Cirencester Town, Forest Green Rovers, Gloucester City, Newport County, Weston Super Mare and Swansea City.