SALISBURY CITY fans can expect an influx of new players now that David Malone is on board as a director.

The former Winchester City supremo and Bashley chairman has arrived at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium determined to do all in his power to save the Whites from dropping out of the Ryman Premier Division.

And, though the existing squad took a step in the right direction on Saturday with a nervy 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Tonbridge Angels, competition for places is likely to hot up in the next few days with Malone revealing: "We genuinely hope to complete two or three signings."

Eastleigh have already turned down City's advances for the Whites' former striker Paul Sales and the Wiltshire club have balked at Bashley's asking price for their prolific 32-goal marksman Richard Gillespie.

Salisbury have drawn a blank for Winchester City's talented right wing-back Shaun Dyke, who is due to sign for Eastleigh today, while two other possible targets - Winchester's Lloyd Webber and Matt Bicknell - are high on Basingstoke Town's wanted list. Webber is also interesting Woking.

Whites, though, have plenty more irons in the fire with Malone revealing: "I've spoken to at least ten clubs since joining Salisbury on Thursday evening and I know Nick Holmes (Salisbury manager) has spoken to a couple of people, too, which if anything transpires will be quite exciting."

Although ex-Saint Holmes already has two very capable right-hand men in Barry Blankley and Mitch Blake, he believes Malone's arrival can open up new avenues.

Welcoming the new director on board, he said: "David's knowledge of players and people in the area outweighs anything we've got here and he's willing to put money into the club as well. He wants to be successful and that's the common denominator among all of us at Salisbury. We don't just want to survive."

Ironically, it was one of Malone's old Bashley charges, Craig Davis, who popped up with the seventh-minute winner on Saturday.

Fortunately for the £15,000 midfielder, Fratton referee Andrew Leaver and his assistant must have been the only two people in the stadium who didn't suspect handball as the midfielder twisted and shot home with his left foot.

Even Malone joked that Davis should sign up for the Solent Stars basketball club, but the match-winner himself insisted: "It wasn't handball, it hit me on the hip."

Holmes was less convinced about the validity of the goal, but pointed out: "Most people thought there was a handball outside the box by Eastleigh goalkeeper Wayne Shaw last Wednesday, so this balances it up."

With manager's son Matt Holmes a determined driving force in midfield, Salisbury dominated large chunks of the first half, creating decent chances for Tim Bond, Robbie Matthews, Adam Wallace and Shaun Hale.

Tonbridge attacks were few and far between, but they managed to hit the post through John Farley on 18 minutes, while City keeper Kevin Sawyer smartly tipped away Richard Brady's goalbound effort in stoppage time.

Like so often this season, confidence visibly drained out of the Whites in the second half, playing against a strong wind.

There were panic stations on 51 minutes when Sawyer lost his grip on a dangerous, low cross by Steve McNamara but, much to the Angels' frustration, the ref blew for a foul on the keeper.

Some desperate defending followed from the Whites, although they nearly capitalised on a mistake by John Beales at the other end, but substitute Scott Bartlett floated a decent chance just over.

After three years watch- ing a wonderfully-assured Winchester side sweeping all before them at Hampshire and Wessex level, Malone is a stranger to the fear and frenzy of the relegation zone.

But. after watching Salis-bury's last two matches, he is convinced their problem is more a lack of confidence than ability.

He said: "Today's was a scrappy game settled by a scrappy goal, but the result was infinitely more important than the performance.

"Both sides were very anxious, but hopefully the three points for Salisbury will have lifted spirits a bit and the confidence will come back."

Match-winner Davis agreed: "As a team we have been lacking a bit of confidence but when you're down there you don't seem to get the run of the ball and you wonder where your next win is coming from.

"But Nick and Barry believe in us and we believe in ourselves.

"We felt unfortunate to have lost to Eastleigh (3-0) and we took it out on Tonbridge in the first half today and should have gone in more than one goal up.

"Conditions were against us in the second half and the wind made it difficult for us to get out."

Saturday's result ended a depressing run of four straight league defeats for Salisbury.

Although they remain entrenched in the bottom four, three points was the best possible start for Malone and Davis is expecting good times ahead at Old Sarum.

He predicted: "If we can hang on this year - and today's the start - we can kick on big-time next season."