DAVE Diaper believes Salisbury’s deep pockets will secure them the Sydenhams Premier Division title.

Diaper’s Sholing were every inch a match for Steve Claridge’s league leaders in yesterday’s 1-1 draw at the Silverlake Arena as top scorer Dan Mason snuffed out Kane O’Keefe’s header for the Whites.

It keeps the Boatmen just two points behind the Wiltshire outfit after the first six weeks of the season, but Diaper reckons that, when the chips are down, Salisbury’s superior spending power will get them over the line.

“Salisbury will be champions because they’ve got the resources to make any changes they need to go and win it,” he predicted.

“But we gave a very good account of ourselves today and we’ve just got to concentrate on our game and keep developing as a side.

“That’s one defeat in 11 for us now, yet we haven’t been able to field the same team two games running.

“The lads carried out our instructions to the letter today.

“I’m always pleased with the effort they put in. They know when they go out on the pitch that they’ve got to give 100 per cent because that’s part and parcel of wearing the Sholing shirt.”

Diaper labelled as “immense” the contribution of the Boatmen’s tigerish former Eastleigh and AFC Totton midfielder Jamie Bulpitt – a player he has likened to former club favourite Tyronne Bowers.

But, in truth, Sholing had lion hearts all over the park and they stubbornly refused to be dictated to by a rampant Salisbury team who had banged in 31 goals in their previous five league and cup outings.

There was little to choose between the sides when the visitors took a 38th-minute lead after home 'keeper Ryan Gosney had turned George Colson’s low blast behind.

The corner was poor, but Claudio Herbert was quickly onto it and crossed into the six-yard box where skipper Kane O’Keefe climbed to head home.

But for Gosney’s sharp reactions O’Keefe might have had another from Brandon Mundy’s assist, but that would have been rough justice on Sholing who deservedly levelled in first-half stoppage time.

Whites’ goalkeeper Gareth Barfoot failed to hold onto Barry Mason’s cross from the right and the ball found its way to the edge of the box where younger brother Dan was waiting to bury his 13th goal of a prolific season.

“We’ve done a good day’s work,” smiled Diaper.

“We had good shape and purpose and we tried to deny them space behind the full-backs. It worked and Salisbury didn’t seem to have a Plan B.

“They had a lot of the ball, but possession doesn’t win you football matches. I’d say 1-1 was a fair result.”

Following the departure of ex-Follands and Team Solent man Matt Burt, Salisbury have strengthened central defence with former Eastleigh youngster Jack Vallis.

The 22-year-old, who did not feature at Sholing, joins from Southern Premier outfit Frome Town where he made 65 appearances over two years.

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