Salisbury started the 2nd half brightly with Josh Hedges showing good close control cutting in from wide on the right and firing just wide on 47 minutes.

They forced a corner on 49 minutes which was well defended and on 51 minutes a break on the right created a chance for Fitchett whose shot was blocked by Rose for another corner. With the tempo increasing Parkway almost drew level on 52 minutes.

A well directed through ball by Cairo released Bray-Evans who went clear going one on one with Gosney with the keeper out quickly to close down Bray-Evans and block the shot. Play now became more even with Down doing well to block another Salisbury cross with Owen Dore firing a free kick wildly over from around 20 yards on 57 minutes. Sangster then released Bray-Evans along the left with the striker just unable to get a final touch.

On the hour both sides made multiple changes with Crago, Jones and Purrington replacing Rose, Bray-Evans and Cairo for the hosts with Charlie Gunson and Jamar Smith coming on for Hedges and Dore for the visitors. Salisbury almost doubled their lead on 70 minutes with Parkes saving well low down at his near post from a far post header after a corner on the left.

Parkway now started to apply pressure and assert more control in midfield with Salisbury seemingly content to drop deeper, absorb pressure and play on the counter. On 72 minutes Parkway won a free kick on the left which was cleared and then recycled with Gosney punching away a deep cross from under his cross bar. On 75 minutes another Parkway free kick, this time from the right, flashed across the 6 yard area with no one able to get a final touch.

Parkway continued to have their fair share of possession with Salisbury content to contain and counter with Jones hooking an effort narrowly over after more good build up play along the left.

On 79 minutes Salisbury broke clear forcing a corner with Parkes again doing well to save a close range header. Parkway continued to press forward looking for an equaliser with Salisbury remaining strong in defence with Parkway lacking that vital bit of quality with their final ball in the final third. On 81 minutes a long ball from deep by Down picked out Jones whose cross shot flew narrowly wide. On 83 minutes Crago broke at pace along the left from deep only to brought down when in full flow by Sommerton who was rightly cautioned.

Parkway kept pressing forward with Williams, Sangster and White linking well through midfield on 85 minutes with Williams telling cross into the danger area solidly defended.

On 88 minutes a Parkway corner saw them win a couple of looping headers in the 6 yard box with neither hitting the target and a goal kick the eventual outcome. In the 6 minutes of added time Parkway continued to push forward with Halls picking up a late booking to halt a Salisbury break but they were unable to find a way through with Salisbury successfully managing the game out and taking the 3 points.

Salisbury had the better of the first half generally remaining in control and despite Parkway competing well and creating a couple of chances, the visitors deserved their half time lead. A more even second half with Parkway arguably the better side and looking stronger as the half progressed with Salisbury remaining defensively strong, aggressive and well organised to secure the win.

Parkway will be disappointed they were unable to capitalise on their second half efforts with a goal and probably consider themselves unlucky not to have come away with a draw against a very good side who are clearly near the top on merit.

Tonight’s result guarantees Salisbury a playoff place and based on their performance this evening they could well go further. Parkway meanwhile remain in a relegation battle in 17th place on goal difference with 2 other clubs on 42 points, the 3rd of which is in the final relegation place, 19th. Parkway now need to regroup and recover before travelling to already relegated Didcot Town on Saturday in what has to be a must win game if they are to maintain their chances of avoiding the drop.