THE spies from Weston Super Mare running the rule over their FA Cup opponents would have left Old Sarum rubbing their hands with joy at the way Salisbury City performed on Tuesday night, writes Mike Turner.

An under-par display resulted in Whites going down 4-1 against an average-looking Northwood side.

The scoreline clearly flattered the Middlesex outfit and although City were on the wrong end of too many interesting decisions by the officials, in truth the hosts only had themselves to blame.

A sloppy start saw them a goal down inside four minutes.

Twice they had the chance to clear their lines before Dean Clark gleefully tucked the ball past Kevin Sawyer. Clark could not have asked for a better knock down if it had come from one of his own players.

Northwood were causing Whites too many problems down the left hand side and on eight minutes should have doubled their lead when Mark Dennison fluffed his lines in front of goal after another speedy break.

Wayne Turk became the first player into the referee's book on 12 minutes, harshly cautioned for coming off best in a full-bodied 50-50 tussle.

However, a later misdemeanour by the always-committed player could easily have brought a second caution and after a stern talking to from the man in black, Turk was treading on egg shells for the rest of the contest.

Sawyer, back from suspension, at times looked a little ring rusty following his three-game ban. His usual forceful clearances rained down on all parts of the ground except where they were expected.

But it was one of his more accurate drop kicks that produced Salisbury's equaliser on 22 minutes.

Recent arrival Robbie Matt-hews looked every inch the target man City have been looking for all season when he latched onto the ball, dropped his shoulder and smacked the ball past Rob Bullivant from fully 25 yards.

Having worked their way back into the game, one would have hoped City would now take stock of the situation, keep their shape and push for three badly needed points.

Not a bit of it.

Inside 30 seconds of the goal, a Northwood attack ran out of fizz in the City penalty box.

Sawyer, looking to get another attack moving, had clearly left his kicking boots in the dressing room, for his limp clearance slammed against a lingering Kevin Chakaodza and fortunately for the usually reliable 'keeper, the rebound spun out of play.

Having gifted Northwood their opening goal, Whites could just as easily have handed them another.

On the half-hour mark City were dealt a cruel blow when Glenn Howes pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring problem and had to be replaced.

Matty Holmes took to the field but it was to prove a fleeting appearance.

Meanwhile, City were at last beginning to show some composure.

Leigh Phillips, who like Matthews, battled upfront throughout, forced Rob Bullivant to make a good low save on 36 minutes and from a corner shortly afterwards, Northwood twice cleared the ball off the line before Matt Davies hooked the ball just over the bar.

On the stroke of half time Holmes made a surging run from midfield but was cynically brought down just outside the box.

Matthews struck the free kick well, beating the five man wall but it was a comfortable height for Bullivant.

From the restart, Holmes caught Dennison late in the middle of the park. It was a yellow card offence and Holmes immediately held up his hand to acknowledge his mis-timed tackle.

The reaction from the Northwood players was over the top and unprofessional. Steve Hale was booked for rushing to the scene and shoving Holmes, who to his credit did not rise to the bait as a mob of red shirts taunted him.

However, the referee had deemed Holmes' offence worthy of a red card.

Whites were up against it now.

Ironically, although down to ten men, City actually looked a more cohesive unit at the start of the second half.

Dennison, who had somehow escaped punishment despite a number of early indiscretions, was finally yellow carded on 61 minutes and was quickly followed into the book by Matthews who should have kept his thoughts to himself after one of the referee's assistants controversially signalled a free kick to Northwood and then relayed the striker's comments to the referee.

Sawyer made a superb diving save moments later palming Steve Hale's glancing header onto the post and out for a corner.

But, like the rest of City's defence, the 'keeper was caught cold on 71 minutes when Clark's free kick sailed through a crowded box and into the net to put the visitors back in front.

A neat move involving Phillips, Andy Cook and Scott Bartlett forced a corner which North-wood scrambled clear only as far as Aaron Cook, but his well-flighted lob drifted just over the bar.

Having looked worthy of a point, Whites were then put to the sword as first Rory Smith and then substitute Anthony Finn rubbed salt into their wounds.

This was not the preparation for their trip to Weston Super Mare that assistant boss Barry Blankley was hoping for.

But at least on this showing, The Seagulls would have learned little of Salisbury's true potential.