SALISBURY fine-tuned preparations for the crunch local derby with Eastleigh by thrashing Kingstonian 4-0 at Kings Meadow.

Rock-bottom K's appear doomed to relegation but still kept trying

Whites boss Nick Holmes said: "We could have scored eight, as it seemed every time we went forward we would open them up. For the first half-hour though it was tight because under new management this week they were obviously really up for the game.

"When the first goal went in, however, we settled and thought we played some decent stuff on a very awkward surface. We had four different goal-scorers today which was nice, but we also missed chances as well.

"The lads know now that they can keep clean sheets, score goals and make chances. That makes it five clean sheets in the last six. Those kind of figures mean a lot to the keeper and defenders but I still thought they got a bit lax towards the end. To be fair though it was another warm day on a bumpy pitch."

The visitors had to wait until the 34th minute before Aaron Cook netted his first for Salisbury, a firm header from Shaun Hale's corner. Four minutes before the break Hale got the second and his first for the club, when he rifled in a spectacular 25-yarder past Andy Iga.

Matt Tubbs had the ball in the net shortly after the interval but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Phil Ruggles glanced a header just wide of the Salisbury upright in a rare attack but Tubbs added Salisbury's third after Iga made a complete mess of trying to stop Matthews' long-range effort and on the hour Craig Davis stepped up to slot home a penalty after Stuart Reeks had handle.

Holmes added: "We are not out of the woods yet as far as relegation is concerned and we still have to go out and do it.

"I challenge the lads to remain unbeaten for the rest of the season as that would prove a lot of things to a lot of people. We are only halfway there.

"We are hoping for a four figure crowd against Eastleigh and it won't take too much to get our lads up for that game. They owe Eastleigh one."