EX-Pompey winger Mark Kelly celebrated his first competitive match in charge of Salisbury City with a 1-0 wiin against Folkestone Invicta on Saturday - and got the seal of approval from new signing Mark Lisk.

Kelly, who works full-time with the AFC Bournemouth youth set-up, has been left holding the baby at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium while manager Nick Holmes clears up some urgent business matters in hurricane-battered Florida.

Lisk has had little chance to get acquainted with Holmes since signing from Bashley during the summer, but the Hythe-based left wing-back is enjoying life under Kelly.

He said: "Mark's very well organised and the lads have got a lot of time and respect for him. You can see from miles off that he comes from a professional background.

"Training's hard, but we do a lot of ball work, so it's really enjoyable. Personally I'm loving it."

It was Kelly's tactical nous that ensured Salisbury began life as a Ryman Premier club with three points in the bank when, for so long, it looked as if they were heading for a third successive draw against their old Dr Martens Eastern Division adversaries.

With 68 minutes gone, the caretaker manager injected fresh life into his side by bringing on Steve Strong to support the front two of Adam Wallace and the livewire Matt Tubbs.

Instantly the Whites had more zing about them and a nip and tuck encounter was finally settled on 84 minutes through a Wallace penalty.

Strong showed great awareness stepping over skipper Scott Bartlett's pass from the right and the ball ran through for Tubbs, who was chopped down by keeper Anthony Kessell just inside the area.

Kessell predictably saw red and his young replacement Daniel Morrin was sent the wrong way by ex-Saint Wallace from the spot.

Ten-man Folkestone could easily have conceded again as Tubbs and Wallace both went close but, for much of the game, there had been little to choose between the sides.

Folkestone should have gone ahead on 17 minutes when James Dryden spooned over from close range, but Tubbs was a constant thorn in the visitors' side and drew the best out of Kessell.

Kelly acknowledged: "Tubbsy's workrate up front was great, but the whole team adapted well considering we changed the system two or three times during the match.

"There was a little bit of first-day over anxiousness about our play. We rushed things at times in the first half, but we had a little talk about it and in the second half our link play was much better."

Salisbury travel to the unknown territory of Staines Town tomorrow and Lisk reflected: "The first game is always a horrible one which you're desperate get out of the way. But getting three points sets us up nicely for Tuesday."