THE defender who captained Salisbury City to double promotions has returned to a place he calls "home".

Brian Dutton has joined Steve Claridge's Whites on loan until the end of the season from National League South outfit Eastbourne Borough, writes Joel Holt.

The 31-year-old joined Borough, managed by ex-Whites boss Tommy Widdrington, at the start of the season from Havant & Waterlooville but got tired of the long travelling.

He expressed an interest in finding a club closer to his Winchester home and has struck a deal with the renamed Salisbury FC, who are gunning for the Southern One South & West play-offs.

It has been almost three years since Dutton departed the Ray Mac in the midst of the old club's financial crisis before they collapsed.

That marked the end of a successful four-year spell, which included famous play-off victories over Hednesford Town in 2010 and Dover Athletic in 2013, helping the old City club back to the National League.

"It's good to be home," beamed Dutton.

"Salisbury is a club close to my heart and it feels like there is a little bit of unfinished business there with the way things finished.

"Although it's a new club, it has the same soul and same fans but with just a different name. It would be nice to get three promotions."

Off the pitch, Dutton coaches at Sparsholt Academy and holds a UEFA A licence coaching badge.

Salisbury advanced to the semi-finals of the Southern League Challenge Cup last night with a gritty 2-1 win at Barnstaple Town.

Tommy Wright struck on 37 minutes after Lewis Benson’s shot had been parried into his path.

That lead was doubled on 74 minutes when Taurean Roberts' wicked shot deflected in off Barum skipper Craig Allen. It was the wideman's third goal since returning to the Whites from Tooting & Mitcham last week.

Claridge's side were heading for a fifth clean sheet in six games, but that was wrecked deep into stoppage time when Ryan Turner pulled one back for Barnstaple.

Salisbury will travel to Southern Premier strugglers Hayes & Yeading in the last four on February 28 (7.45pm).

The other semi pairs St Ives Town with the winners of Bishops Cleeve v Aylesbury United.