Battling 10 men Salisbury fall to Gosport defeat

Former Salisbury played Abduli Baggie gave the visiting team an advantage at half time before Dan Wooden, and Billie Busari's goals were enough despite a spirited performance and a Brandon Goodship goal.

Salisbury made four changes from the weekend defeat. Three deadline-day signings coming into the starting line up and Gerrad Benfield returning in goal.

Just before kick-off, Salisbury announced the loan signings of Tom McDermott and James Platt from Port Vale and Tobi Ogundega on a youth loan from Sutton United

After a quietish first 20 minutes, there was a flurry of action in a four-minute spell.

First, Salisbury created a good chance. Calvin Brooks cut in from the right-hand side, beating several defenders before the ball broke for Tom McDermott, whose shot was blocked.

Gosport then broke, and Sam Roberts found himself on the wrong side and pulled down Daniel Wooden, who was in on goal. Referee Philip Staynings didn't hesitate in showing the Salisbury defender a straight red.

Salisbury reorganised and then almost took the lead on the 25th minute as Calvin Brooks tried the audacious with an overhead kick from the edge of the box. O'Flaherty, in the Gosport goal, produced a good save to turn it away.

Gosport took the lead on the 42nd minute with a goal on the break.

Salisbury's corner was cleared, and Plant miss-controlled the ball, and it ran through, and Gosport broke. The ball quickly found its way to Baggie, who moved forward at pace before lifting the ball over Benfield from 20 yards.

One-nil down at half time, Salisbury began the second half brightly.

It only took 5 minutes for the positive approach to pay dividends. It was another miss touch that presented Salisbury with the chance. McDermott picked up the loose ball and fed it to Goodship.

Goodship did the rest and finished low well past O'Flaherty in the Gosport goal to draw the Whites level.

Salisbury had a good chance to take the lead on 67 minutes after good work from Yang down the right. His low cross found Plant in the box. His first effort was a little bit of a miss-kick, but the second effort was well-blocked.

The Whites continued to create chances; this time, it was Fitchett who was found on the right side of the box by Brooks. Fitchett drove into the box, and O'Flaherty was equal to it, pushing it behind for a corner.

The away team got their second of the game after another error, this time from McDermott. The debutant had initially done well to win the ball in midfield but played an unsighted pass back toward his own goal. The ball fell kindly for Daniel Wooden, who did well to finish past Benfield.

Gosport sealed the game with a goal on 89 minutes. Another defensive slip saw Billie Busari in on goal and finished well between the legs on the on-rushing Benfield.

Salisbury huffed and puffed but were unable to create any other chances and fell to a 3-1 defeat, although the scoreline probably didn't reflect the game.