TODAY’S heavyweight Sydenhams Premier top-two showdown between Sholing and Salisbury ended 1-1 in front of a 407 Silverlake Arena crowd.

The Boatmen worked doggedly to keep Steve Claridge’s free-scoring Whites in check early on, but it came at the expense of bookings for Dean Faithfull and Jack Smith.

After dealing with a couple of set-piece threats, Sholing took a grip on the game with James Davis’s cross marginally too strong for Dan Mason at the back stick and Kev Brewster’s free kick somehow evading everyone in a packed area.

Former Boatmen’s striker Ashley Jarvis had a red-and-white shirt all over him every time he got the ball, earning Faithfull another lecture from the referee.

But on 24-minutes Salisbury’s No.9 escaped Sholing’s shackles and forced a decent save out of Ryan Gosney in the home goal.

Sholing’s competitive approach ruffled Salisbury’s feathers at times, but it was the table-topping visitors who took the lead on 38 minutes after Gosney had again done well to turn away George Colson’s long-range blast.

The corner was poor, but Claudio Herbert took possession on the right of area and stood up a great ball into the six-yard box which skipper Kane O’Keefe headed home.

O’Keefe then drew another good stop from Gosney before the Boatmen grabbed a well-deserved equaliser on the brink of half-time.

Salisbury keeper Gareth Barfoot failed to keep hold of Barry Mason’s cross from the right and, of all people, the ball wound up at the feet of Wessex top gun Dan Mason who drilled in his 13th goal of the season.

After a quietish opening to the second half, Herbert curled a shot into the Sholing side-netting.

On 66 minutes the Boatmen were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position after Dan Mason had outmuscled burly defender Nathan Walker on the left and been tripped by ex-Sholing defender Calum Brockway as he made his way across the edge of the area.

Brewster, though, curled the ball straight into the defensive wall.

Salisbury responded with a tricky run by Herbert, but as he tried to slip the ball into Jarvis’s path, Davis threw his body on the line to clear the danger as a well contested match ended with honours even.

Salisbury remain two points clear at the top ahead of Andover Town who have nudged in front of Sholing on goal difference after beating Newport IoW 4-0.

SHOLING: Ryan Gosney, Kevin Brewster, Jack Smith, Dean Faithfull, Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt, Barry Mason, Alex Sawyer (Lewis Kelly, 63), Dan Mason (Marvin McLean, 73), Byron Mason, James Davis (Tobi Adekunle, 78). Subs (not used): Owen Roundell, Dan Dove.

SALISBURY: Gareth Barfoot, George Colson, Callum Hart, Tom Whelan, Steve Walker, Calum Brockway, Claudio Herbert (Dan Demkiv, 77), Kane O'Keefe (Sam Wilson, 55), Ashley Jarvis, Brandon Mundy, Danny Young. Subs (not used): Sam Roberts, Robbie Matthews, Eddie Perrett.

Referee: Stephen Hawkes (Aldershot)

Attendance: 407