SECOND-PLACED Salisbury ensured the gap between themselves and third-placed Bristol Manor Farm remained at five points with a slender 1-0 Evo-Stik South West success at Kidlington.

The decider came on 63 minutes when Owen Howe was adjudged to have been brought down as he turned inside the area and, after several minutes’ delay while the home side protested, the striker kept his cool to tuck away the penalty.

Admitting it was a close contest, Salisbury boss Steve Claridge said: “Kidlington had their chances but, unlike some of our recent opponents, failed to take them.”

The Whites have four games left to secure the second automatic promotion spot behind champions Taunton, starting at Swindon Supermarine on Tuesday (7.45pm).