SALISBURY failed to recover from a rocky start as they were outclassed 4-1 away at Evo-Stik South West leaders Taunton Town yesterday.

A large travelling support boosted the Peacocks’ gate to a season’s best 630, but the away fans saw their side slip two down in just 18 minutes.

The Whites were undone by goals from Dan Sullivan and former Gosport Borough man Matt Buse, who went on to make it 3-0 on 35 minutes.

Salisbury, missing suspended duo Tom Whelan and George Colson, sank even further into arrears early in the second half when Matt Wright headed in Taunton’s fourth.

That left Owen Howe’s 58th-minute penalty – the new signing’s third goal in two games – as a mere consolation for Steve Claridge’s men, who have slipped to seventh.

Salisbury - beaten play-off finalists last season - are on 32 points, just behind Wimborne Town, AFC Totton, Bideford and Winchester City, who are all tied on 33.

Wimborne soared to third with a 1-0 home win over Kidlington.

Toby Holmes 13th league goal of the season settled matters. He was set up by namesake Luke Holmes who later described the Magpies marksman as "the best striker in the league by a mile."

Winchester were left without a game due to a frozen pitch at Slimbridge and, likewise, Gosport Borough’s Premier Division trip to Redditch United was postponed.

Former Alresford and Winchester hotshot Warren Bentley was on the scoresheet as relegation-battling Poole Town belatedly celebrated their first National League South home win 3-1 over Weston-super-Mare.

Steve Devlin (penalty) and sub Jeremiah Gyebi, a new loan signing from Yeovil, also registered for the Dolphins.