SALISBURY City manager Nick Holmes jetted back into the UK hoping to see his side progress safely to the next round of the FA Cup, writes Mike Turner.

However, a late mistake proved costly and enabled Screwfix West-ern League opponents Frome Town to snatch the equaliser that took the tie to a replay.

Holmes' plan to return to Florida immediately to attend to business matters Stateside was put on hold so he could witness Wednesday night's return match.

Craig Davis had put City in front on the half-hour mark and Holmes' side had plenty of opportunities to put the tie beyond the visitors.

However, Frome's Mark Salter capitalised on an error two minutes from time by Glenn Howes and Town's top scorer's shot gave 'keeper Arron Hedges, in for the suspended Kevin Sawyer, no chance.

Holmes said: "Afterwards, Glenn openly admitted it was his mistake that had cost us. He had the chance to clear the ball, but it ended up in our net. That happens in the FA Cup and changes things. But to be fair to him we had plenty of chances to have won the game before that."

Holmes said he had heard that City's recent poor run of results that has left them at the wrong end of the table, may be due to a lack of effort on behalf of some of his players. However, on seeing his charges, he said: "I wasn't worried about the lack of effort. There was plenty of that. I was more concerned with our lack of quality at times. We should have won the game."

City's influential midfield dynamo Wayne Turk is back from suspension but Holmes said he is still lacking match fitness following his recent injury.

Whites host Dover Athletic on Saturday afternoon (3pm) before the visit of Northwood on Tuesday (7.45pm).