SALISBURY slipped to a disappointing opening day defeat against newly-promoted Burgess Hill Town in front of a Sunday crowd of 557, writes Ryan Lovejoy.

The Hillians have won the Sussex County League in five of the last seven seasons and it is notoriously difficult to play newly-promoted sides early on, but Whites showed little of the zest that took them so close to promotion last term.

Steve Strong should have done better after ten minutes when the ball fell kindly in the box but he miscued.

Steve Harper scuffed wide of the far post when he was put clear through for the visitors, and Andy Cook's flick header from Darren Crook's cross went agonisingly wide on 31 minutes.

Then Jay Head found himself with time and space in the area but his shot was beaten away well by Kevin Sawyer.

Des Guile was booked for a challenge on Strong in the 42nd minute before Burgess Hill took the lead in first half injury time.

Leo Day won a tackle in his own half and Richard Carter's crossfield ball reached Harper with plenty of room to run on and fire high into the net.

Sam Allison replaced Crook at the break and he provided some much-needed attacking impetus.

Gary Funnell hit a free kick just off target, and Scott Bartlett crossed to an unmarked Adam Wallace but he headed wide.

Goalkeeper Pat Gannon miraculously denied Wayne Turk when he turned a header around the post on the hour, while Harper threatened on the break with an attempt just past the upright.

In the last ten minutes Matt Davies' header was cleared off the line and Gannon again excelled himself by frustrating both Allison and Stuart Brown.

Whites' boss Nick Holmes reflected afterwards: "I thought Burgess Hill maybe showed a little bit more desire to win the game, especially in the first half.

"In the second half we created little half chances, but it was just through putting the ball in the box.

"Football went out of the window.

"It was a little bit disappointing because in the early part of pre-season I thought we had shown quite a lot of desire. That was missing from quite a few of the players today."

Holmes is hoping to play more games away from the traditional Saturday slot: "I like playing on a Sunday. The crowd wasn't as big as I thought it would be. Maybe Salisbury is not ready for change.

"I would love to play Friday nights or Sunday afternoons if we can agree it with other clubs. I am more than willing to reciprocate if they want to try it."