SALISBURY's title credentials were given a firm test by promotion rivals Horndean, who pushed the league leaders to the wire in an action-packed seven-goal thriller.

Ashley Jarvis' 12th minute opener was cancelled out by Ian Humble before Dan Demkiv restored Whites' lead on half time.

Soon after the break, Sam Wilson made it three but the visitors refused to lie down as Rob Tambling hit back.

Tom Whelan regained a two-goal advantage and, with victory in sight, Mark Corbett set-up a grandstand finale.

And ex-White Jack Maloney nearly pinched a point with an 89th minute free kick that missed the target to ensure victory for the Whites, who stretched their gap at the top of Sydenhams Wessex Premier to eight points.

But the win came at the expense of sturdy defender Calum Brockway being hospitalised with a dislocated shoulder, and is expected to be out for some time.

The defender was one of six players who preserved their spot in the starting XI.

Charlie Searle (injured), Sam Roberts, Harry Wedlake, Charlie Blake and Claudio Herbert made way for Nathan Ball, Dan Demkiv, Steve Walker, who returned from suspension, Whelan and Kane O'Keefe.

New signing Jamie White listed in Steve Claridge's 16-man squad, but started his second spell at the Ray Mac on the bench.

Like in previous games, Whites made a bright start in what were atrocious conditions, creating two good chances in the opening eight minutes.

Young netted on three minutes but his goal was disallowed and then Jarvis combined with Young to finish, yet he was offside.

The pressure continued and, before the opener arrived, Brockway left the field holding his shoulder and was taken to hospital.

Salisbury continued the pressure and a Callum Hart upfield ball was touched home by Jarvis for his 17th of the season.

But, against the run of the play, Humble made the most of some poor defending from a corner to get the final touch.

As the Whites pressed, Demkiv presented the hosts with a half time lead with a far post header after Derek Harding was again forced to parry a Wilson effort.

A two-goal cushion was opened up early in the second half.

Eddie Perrett passed the ball towards the box and, after Wilson closed down Harding, the ball broke to the striker who did the rest for his 31st of the season.

The gap lasted just 13 minutes, though, as Rob Tambling pounced on a defensive mix-up to halve the deficit.

O'Keefe then drove through the Dean's defence but his finish was blazed way way over the top, before Wilson's driven free kick was bundled home by Whelan for a fourth.

White then made an appearance in search of a debut goal but, instead, it was Horndean who replied for the third time after a long ball left Walker unstuck and Corbett was there to dribble home.

And had Maloney, who spent a few months at Old Sarum, converted his set piece in a precarious position, it would have been a different outcome, yet Whites held on for their 12th win in a row, despite conceding three goals for the first time all season.

Whites: Ball, Hart, Brockway, Walker, Perrett, Demkiv, O'Keefe, Whelan, Young, Wilson, Jarvis.

Subs: Colson, Herbert, Whites, Matthews, Herbert.

Scorers: Jarvis (12), Demkiv (45), Wilson (48), Whelan (74).

Referee: Alex James.

Att: 745