VETERAN Nick Newman scored late on to reward The Wanderers for their battling performance against a stubborn Chalke Valley.

With the pitch only just passing a morning inspection, the visitors knew they had to get out of the blocks quickly and Alex Cook almost delivered a perfect start within ten minutes, only to be denied by the home custodian from point-blank range. The same man was on hand moments later, this time to be foiled by the woodwork.

With the visitors taking full control of the possession and territory, all they were lacking was a goal.

Valley did manage some counterattacking football of their own, but Kitley was alert to prevent any danger.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first 45 minutes as most of the game was played in the Valley half but again there was no way through. With all three substitutes on the pitch for The Wanderers, everything was being thrown at the home side, and on 75 minutes it took something special from Newman to break the deadlock. He picked up a pass 25 yards out and unleashed a rocket past the home keeper for the match winner.

A second looked inevitable when The Wanderers were awarded a penalty but Steph Tinkler’s spot kick was saved and it finished 0-1 to the Salisbury and District Premier Division leaders, who are two points clear at the summit.

Player-manager Liam McConnell said: “Huge credit goes to all our players. They worked tirelessly and although we couldn't get that early goal they never panicked and kept doing the right things.

“It was particularly pleasing for veteran Nick Newman to steal the headlines – he has been around for years and certainly deserves the credit for that strike.”