Any lingering fears that Salisbury City had celebrated the Southern Premier championship prematurely were firmly extinguished at Tiverton yesterday.

Although Whites cracked open the champagne after Saturday's 2-0 success over Gloucester City, it was still mathematically possible - though highly unlikely - for Bath City to catch them on goal difference.

But yesterday's 1-0 win at Tiverton, combined with Bath's 2-0 home demise against Chippenham, means Nick Holmes's heroes are now untouchable in top spot.

"We've got what we deserved," beamed assistant manager Barry Blankley. "We knew a point would be good enough today and to go up as champions is superb.

"We've had a lot of games lately, but adrenalin has kept the lads going and they deserve a lot of credit for that.

"It would be nice if the Southern League would present us with the trophy in front of our own supporters when we play Cheshunt on Saturday."

Pleasingly for City, it was their top scorer Matt Tubbs who bagged yesterday's 19th-minute winner - his 27th goal of the season.

With Ashan Holgate ruled out by illness, Tubbs played his first full 90 minutes since returning from a knee operation.

Proving he has lost none of his sharpness, he raced onto Scott Bartlett's ball out of defence and calmly tucked away a low shot across the keeper.

Tubbs had two other first-half goal attempts, but his free-kick and header were competently dealt with by Tivvy keeper Mark Ovendale.

City's Luke Prince also screwed a shot wide while, for Tiverton, Jamie Mudge sent a right-foot effort just past the post and Chris Bale drew a smart save from Kevin Sawyer.

As Salisbury showed signs of tiring, keeper Sawyer had a busier time of it in the second half, producing one superb tip-over from Richard Pears' overhead kick on 50 minutes.