BOSS Dave Diaper felt some new year’s rustiness contributed to Sholing’s 1-0 defeat at league leaders Salisbury on Saturday.

But he also admitted the Boatmen were architects of their own downfall as a Jack Vallis header separated the sides in front of a 786-strong Raymond McEnhill Stadium crowd.

Sholing defender Dean Faithfull was guilty of conceding a needless free kick with 55 minutes gone.

And Salisbury took full advantage as Tom Whelan curled the ball in and Vallis – a one-time Eastleigh defender – headed past 'keeper Ryan Gosney at the far post.

“We always knew it was going to be difficult because of our fitness levels,” admitted Diaper. “We’d only played one game since December 19, whereas Salisbury had played three.

“We’ve had a lack of training facilities and, for the first 25 minutes, it showed. But we grew into the game and it was just disappointing the way the goal was conceded. One thing I always tell the lads is to be sensible in the defensive third and not to give away needless free kicks.

“Salisbury bossed possession in the first half but the final part of moves let them down and Gos (Gosney) came in at half-time having hardly made a save.

“On chances created, I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t come away with a point.”

That said, Diaper was mightily impressed with Salisbury and there is no doubt in his mind that they will win the Sydenhams Premier title – and, possibly, the FA Vase.

Having led Sholing to Vase glory at Wembley two years ago, he believes the Whites have the credentials to become the fourth Wessex side to lift the trophy.

“They’ve got pace to die for with Taurean Roberts on one side, Dan Demkiv on the other and Danny Young and Claudio Herbert to come off the bench.

“When you’re tiring, the last thing you need is those two coming on!

“Until Saturday, I thought it would be a big ask for Salisbury to win the Vase, but if they can get one or two areas at the back sorted out, they’re candidates to go all the way. They just need to be a bit more resilient.

"We weren’t at our best on Saturday, but we still created five or six good opportunities. Dean Faithfull put a header wide and Byron Mason snatched at one he would normally have taken."

Salisbury boss Steve Claridge was frustrated his side did not make the most of their chances, describing it as "like the Alamo at times" and "probably the most misleading 1-0 you are ever likely to see."

"We had enough chances, again, it's just ridiculous," he said. "Hanging on at the end there, they've had two good chances and we've had chance after chance to put the game to bed and we haven't."

With Horndean surprisingly beaten 2-1 at lowly Alresford, Salisbury have opened a five-point gap at the Sydenhams summit heading into tomorrow's (Tuesday) game at Hamworthy United.

Sholing, fifth, on Wednesday (7.45) host a Blackfield & Langley side who have leapfrogged the Deans into second.