SALISBURY'S Sydenhams Premier title credentials were tested by fourth-placed Horndean who pushed the league leaders to the wire in Saturday's action-packed 4-3 thriller at the Ray Mac.

Ashley Jarvis' 12th-minute opener was snuffed out by the Deans’ Ian Humble before ex-Saint Dan Demkiv restored Whites' lead on half-time.

Goal king Sam Wilson made it 3-1 to Salisbury – his 31st of the season - but the visitors stubbornly refused to lie down as Rob Tambling hit back.

Tom Whelan restored Whites’ two-goal advantage but, with victory in sight for Steve Claridge’s men, Mark Corbett set up a grandstand finish.

And the 745-strong crowd breathed a huge sigh of relief when Jack Maloney – a former Salisbury player – spurned a chance to pinch a point by sending an 89th-minute free kick over.

Proud Horndean boss Craig Pearce said: “We showed a lot of character, especially when we were 3-1 down.”

With Blackfield’s game rained off, Salisbury’s 12th successive win pushed them eight points clear at the summit.

Victory, though, came at the expense of former Sholing and Follands defender Calum Brockway who was hospitalised with a dislocated shoulder and is expected to be out for some time.

In a change of venue, Whites will host Wiltshire neighbours Amesbury Town at the Ray Mac on Wednesday in the third round of the Sydenhams League Cup. The winners visit Team Solent.