EX-SAINTS midfielder Tommy Widdrington reckons non-League football will take a bit of getting used to after being sent off on his home debut for Salisbury City.

Although the no-nonsense midfielder doesn't profess to be an angel, he was dismayed to be shown a second yellow card for a typically tigerish tackle nine minutes from the end of Saturday's vital 2-1 win over Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Less than a fortnight ago Widdrington, who made 81 starts for Saints, was plying his trade for Port Vale in Coca-Cola League One.

Dropping down four levels has come as culture shock for the combative Geordie, who said: "The ref spoilt the game and it's hard for me to take it. I didn't make a tackle worthy of a booking, let alone a sending-off.

"The hardest thing coming into non-League will be the mental side.

"Salisbury's ground is excellent, but others leave a lot to be desired and you need the right mental approach when you put your boots on."

Having had the game videoed, Salisbury may well appeal against Widdrington's dismissal.

Assistant manager Barry Blankley said: "I don't think Tommy deserved to be sent off. He went in for three challenges, one after another, and won them all, bang, bang, bang.

"He got his hand stamped on and was pushed in the face - and then he was the one sent off!"

Results-wise Widdrington couldn't have asked for a better start to his City career with Saturday's win coming hot on the heels of a 3-0 success at Northwood, where he made his debut.

All told, City have now won three in a row to ease their Ryman Premier relegation fears, but Widdrington insisted: "It's not just me who's made a difference. The lads have realised the predicament they're in and are showing more resolve now.

"We came back from 1-0 down today and, from what they've been saying in the dressing room, that possibly wouldn't have happened a few weeks back."!

Skipper Aaron Cook put his hand up for Hampton's 15th-minute opener - the ball going in off the ex-Bashley defender after Graham Harper's header had bounced down off the bar.

But Salisbury were level three minutes later when fast-improving defender Tim Bond - the sponsors' man-or-the-match - climbed highest in a packed penalty area to head in Craig Davis's corner.

On 33 minutes, Davis was involved again as Whites seized the lead. As he attempted to get off a shot the ball struck defender Dean Wells on the hand and Davis sent former Andover keeper Kieron Drake the wrong way from the spot.

Play-off chasers Hampton were in even deeper trouble when Andy Morley was sent off for elbowing Leigh Phillips after the Salisbury striker had cut across him at a throw-in.

But far from going into their shells with ten men, the Surrey side made most of the second-half running and, two minutes before Widdrington got his marching orders, it needed a smart save by keeper Kevin Sawyer to prevent Luke Fontana capitalising on Aaron Cook's defensive slip.

"We didn't play as well as we can in the second half, but the main thing is we won," said Blankley. "We played well up at Hampton and were 2-0 up with 20 minutes to go, but we pressed the self-destruct button and lost 3-2. Today was pay-back time.

"It's the first time I can remember us winning three in a row. The self-belief, confidence and character are coming back."