SALISBURY are back in pole position in the Sydenhams Premier Division – but were given the fright of their lives by fast-starting Fawley AFC who roared into a two-goal lead at Long Lane on Saturday.

Dan Fry rocked the title hopefuls with two goals in the opening 30 minutes before Whites’ quality shone through for a 4-2 victory.

It sends Steve Claridge’s men three points clear of Horndean, whose game against Hamworthy was postponed.

Salisbury stumbled out of the blocks and were punished when George Colson’s back pass to Charlie Searle was intercepted by Fry who then doubled the Oilers’ lead from a free kick that clipped the Whites' wall on its way in.

That prompted a swift change of formation from Claridge who took off defender Jack Vallis and threw on top scorer Sam Wilson.

Ashley Jarvis halved the deficit five minutes from half-time and then struck again after ex-Saints whiz kid Dan Demkiv had mustered a second-half equaliser.

Wilson crowned victory in the 82nd minute, belting home Kane O'Keefe's knock down for his 25th goal of the season.

Whites tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm) host Moneyfields who will be licking their wounds after having three men – Jake Morgan, Jack Lee and Tyler Giddings – sent off in Saturday’s 2-0 FA Vase defeat by Bristol Manor Farm.

With Newport IoW losing 2-1 to Ashford United after extra time, it leaves Salisbury as the competition’s sole Wessex survivors.

As an extra bonus for Salisbury, two of their main title rivals, Blackfield & Langley and AFC Portchester, dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Gang Warily – Dan Cann bagging the Watersiders’ leveller.

Joe Wood’s 16th goal of the season sneaked Verwood a late 1-0 win at Brockenhurst, while Cowes Sports burst Bournemouth’s bubble 4-1 through Jez Conway, John McKie, Jared Wetherick and Dexter Malin.

Jack Lovell scored Bemerton’s 1-0 winner over Whitchurch while the games at Andover, Fareham, Horndean and Sholing all succumbed to the weather.