WINCHESTER City’s already tough task of reaching the Southern One South & West play-offs now looks nigh on impossible.

Last night's 0-0 home stalemate with Bideford leaves the ninth-placed Citizens nine points shy of fifth spot with just ten games to go.

City welcomed central defender Leigh Mills back to the club, but Howard Neighbour was injured and Danny King pulled up in the warm-up and made way for Jamie Ford.

Having soaked up some early Bideford pressure, Winchester almost scored late in the first half when Andy Jenkinson hit the post with a beautifully struck free-kick and Ford was unable to convert the rebound.

There was much defending for City to do after the break with keeper Lewis Noice tipping Billy Tucker’s effort round the post and the outstanding Mills making some important blocks.

Winchester used all three subs, including a debut for ex-AFC Totton winger Nick Watts, but the closest they came to scoring was when top gun Craig Feeney had a shot saved and the follow-up blocked.

*HAVING won 16 out of 17 games in all competitions, Salisbury came down to earth with a bump, beaten 4-0 at Hayes & Yeading in the semi-final of the Southern League Challenge Cup.

It was the first time this season the Whites had failed to score and ended a nine-game winning run in all competitions.

Hayes & Yeading, second-to-bottom of the Evo-Stik Premier Division, didn't looked back once Anthony Edgar had beaten the offside trap to give the hosts an 18th-minute lead.

Soloman Sambou and ex-Eastleigh winger Graeme Montgomery added to the Whites' woes before Mahlondo Martin - a Salisbury player earlier this season - delivered a cross that was inadvertently steered into his own net by Whites' sub Adam Flint.

Hayes will meet the winners of next Tuesday's second semi-final between St Ives Town v Aylesbury United.

*SHAFTESBURY have booked an all-Wessex One semi-final in the Sydenhams League Cup.

The Wiltshire underdogs stunned Premier Division outfit Bashley 3-1 in the New Forest through Seb Dawes, Martin Shroeder and Danny Finnigan. It books them a last-four showdown with Baffins Milton Rovers.

Sydenhams League Cup semi-final line-up: Baffins Milton Rovers v Shaftesbury, Sholing v Team Solent.

*MONEYFIELDS moved 13 points clear at the Sydenhams Premier summit with a modest 2-0 home win over Cowes Sports.

Gary Austin buried the opener at the second attempt after his first header had hit the bar and Dan Woodward doubled the advantage with a 25-yard free-kick.

Pete Stiles’ unbeaten start as Fareham Town boss came to an end with a 2-1 reverse at Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

The Creeksiders led by a Simon Woods goal, but had the tables turned on them by Josh Buck and Sam Griffin.

Fawzi Saadi’s stoppage-time winner sentenced Andover Town to a galling 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth Poppies, while Lymington Town’s five-match winning streak was halted 2-0 at home by Horndean (Jack Maloney, Sam Smart).

Runaway Sydenhams One leaders Hamble Club bounced back from last Friday’s 1-0 blip at Romsey Town by beating Christchurch 3-1 through Mike Byrne, Wayne O’Dell and sub James Thomson.

It was a great night too for Hamble’s 17th-placed neighbours Folland Sports who saw off Alton 5-2 with goals by Ethan Miller (2), Callum Coker (2) and James Franklyn.