Late Drama Denies Salisbury of All Three Points: Salisbury VS Dorchester Town - Match Report

Salisbury hosted Dorchester today in a mid-table battle.

Despite rainfall throughout the night, The Ray Mac's grass surface was deemed fit to play on.

Just 3 points separated the two sides in the Southern Premiership going into the game, with Salisbury in 14th and the magpies in 12th, but with a game in hand The Whites could really capitalise today if they wish to finish in the higher echelons of the table.

Deadline day signing under-19 Albanian international, Erion Zabeli made his Southern Premiership debut.

On the bench today 16 year old Harrison Mealing was named after his staring impression against Swindon on Tuesday night and brothers Devon and Carson Arnold were both in the dugout for today's game.

Much like the weather today, the first half was rather dull with patches of rain for Salisury and very little sunshine.

An early chance appeared for The Whites in the second minute when James Plant was released by Brandon Goodship only for Plant's effort to be saved by Dorchester’s keeper – Ryan Hall.

26 minutes in and Goodship was the maestro once more as his lovely first-time deaf touch with the outside of his boot set up Calvin Brookes for a half volley, but his effort narrowly flew over the near post.

5 minutes later Dorchester broke the deadlock through Shaquille Gwengwe when he showed some nice footwork inside the left-hand side of the box and poked it past Mark Smith into the far corner.

Using Goodship as their outlet on the right-hand side was a reoccurring theme for Salisbury and out wide through himself and Plant is where they found most of their limited success.

That statement nearly came to fruition as some fantastic football down the right presented another chance for The Whites.

One-Two's and overlapping runs set Brooks up for a cross which found Plant at the back post once more, but his effort was once again beaten away by the keeper.

On the stroke of half time, some rays of sunshine appeared for Salisbury as a penalty was awarded in their favour... up stepped Goodship to convert.

Half time, the scores were level at one all.

As the Second half started, much like the first, an opportunity presented itself early for Salisbury.

A swift counterattack saw James Plant one on one with Hall, however, a heavy touch allowed the keeper to narrow any gaps and smother Plant’s chance once again.

20 minutes later in the 66th minute, another counter attack saw Salisbury penetrate Dorchetsers backline.

A lovely pass from Thomas McDermott released Plant and as the newly converted wing-back sprinted into the area he squared it towards Devon Arnold who looked certain to score, but some heroic defending saw the ball cleared off the line.

82 minutes in and Dorchester nearly took the lead.

Jordi Foot got himself on the end of a corner and his header looked destined for the back of the net – but just before he could celebrate his own player got in the way and prevented the ball from going in.

In the last ten Salisbury kept knocking and the door finally opened.

A corner was swung in from the right-hand side and on the end of it was Erion Zabeli, his swing of the foot effort rebounded off the crossbar and trickled its way to Aaron Mcreadie who crashed the ball home and put The Whites in the lead.

90 Minutes on the clock and a corner for Dorchester.

The final push for Salisbury.

The ball was cleared towards the edge of the box, but waiting for Dorchester was Lewis Waterfield.

One touch out his feet and one to strike.

As the ball left his foot it was always going to go in. A fantastic effort that flew into the top right corner equalising the score and breaking Salisbury hearts.

Five minutes added on, but they might as well not have been played.

The ball spent more time outside the pitch than in.

In the end, the points were shared and the game finished 2 all.

57 minutes in, striker Fitchett went down injured and had to be taken off so an opportunity arose for young Harrison Meading to make his