No goals, no points and little to cheer for Eastbourne Borough at Salisbury

The Sports were certainly not beaten out of sight, and the result really turned on three key moments. But against opponents who - until this game - were themselves glancing anxiously at the relegation battle just below them, Robbie Blake's men would have hoped for better reward.

A messy game, with more effort than end results, was in the balance for almost an hour before Salisbury grabbed two goals within a couple of minutes. Indeed Borough had slightly edged the chances and had controlled much of the play - but only goals win games.

During his weeks in interim charge, Blake and his staff have given the squad a clear structure and a belief in themselves which had previously been lacking. Previously, perhaps, the fear factor had sometimes hemmed the team in, but under Robbie those shackles are off. And despite the Salisbury setback, their new manager Steve King will inherit an eager and determined squad. This season is very far from over...

At a chilly and windblown RayMac Stadium, two crucial moments changed the course of the game. A fairly even start had seen no more than half-chances for the two sides, and we had reached half-time goalless. But straight after the break, a swift right-wing move released George Alexander through the right channel for a low strike which beat home keeper Will Buse and found the bottom corner of the net for 1-0.

Or so we thought. But an assistant referee's flag had - incorrectly - ruled Alexander offside. Video evidence showed George to be a yard onside as the through ball was played. The Herald never snipes at officials, who do their best and are only human, but we must also be honest: it was a decision which changed the game and possibly changed Borough's season.

Five minutes later, the Whites were ahead - less controversially but with a moment of legal gamesmanship. National South has now officially adopted the multi-ball system, with footballs sitting invitingly on little cones along the touchline. It is well meant, keeping the play flowing, but it favours the opportunist forward who grabs a fresh ball and blindsides the opposition.

A Borough boot had knocked the ball out of play in the left-back position, level with the visitors' eighteen-yard box - and a home player snatched the nearest multi-ball, flung it into play, and in an instant Max Joliffe had cracked it past Rohan Luthra in the Eastbourne goal. Within the rules - but outwith the spirit of the game?

Either way, Borough had been mugged. And in a very tight contest, fine margins would always be decisive. With their tails up, Salisbury stormed forward and doubled the lead eight minutes later, when Borough failed to clear decisively and Josh Hedges pounced to net from ten yards.

The Sports worked really hard but with little penetration against a physical home side, and the minutes - and the points - slipped away. Not a fatal result in the scrabble to escape the drop zone - but a damaging blow.

Nine fixtures to play, and 27 points to play for. The Sports are actually only three points behind fifth-bottom Farnborough, and this relegation drama is still no nearer to the final curtain....