A SECOND defeat in six days leaves Salisbury with work to do to secure the second automatic promotion place in the Evo-Stik South West.

Their lead over Wimborne and Bristol Manor Farm has shrunk to four points – albeit that the Whites have a game in hand.

Beaten 4-2 at Wimborne on Monday, Salisbury were desperate to put matters right at home to 15th-placed Cinderford yesterday. But, despite a brace of freekicks by Lewis Benson, the visitors ran out shock 3-2 winners in front of a 587 Ray Mac crowd.

Craig Norman netted an 11th-minute Cinderford opener before Benson struck from 22 yards to make it 1-1 at the break.

Norman scored again on the hour and, having twice hit the bar in their quest for an equaliser, Salisbury were rocked when Richard Greaves made it 3-1.

Benson soon netted again, this time from 25 yards, but it wasn’t enough to ward off defeat.

Salisbury are at home again on Tuesday against Winchester City (7.45pm).