Salisbury 1 Rangers 0
Another lapse in concentration at the back proved costly as Stafford Rangers suffered their ninth defeat of the season.
Another lapse in concentration at the back proved costly as Stafford Rangers suffered their ninth defeat of the season.
Poor marking in the 29th minute allowed Marvin Brown to chest down a long ball 15 yards out and volley past Stafford's debutant keeper Scott Loach.
The introduction of Loach, signed on loan from Watford, was one of three changes made by manager Phil Robinson.
Along with Danny Alcock, out also went Richard Sutton and David McNiven in favour of Greg Stones and Kevin Street.
Both keepers were called into action early on. Loach held a looping header from Luke Oliver and Salisbury's Ryan Clarke dived to his right to keep out a shot from Djoumin Sangare.
Marco Adaggio headed straight at Ryan Clarke before Salisbury scored what proved to be the winner just before the half-hour mark.
Defender Jonathan Bass lofted the ball forward into the area where Brown had the time and space to chest down and volley past Loach.
Organised Stafford enjoyed a good spell of pressure at the start of the season half.
Street cut in from the left and fired just wide of the far post while Chris Flynn sent a couple of rising shots over the bar.
But Salisbury's well-organised defence proved difficult to penetrate.
Just before the hour mark, Loach's clearance was charged down by Robert Matthews.
The ball headed towards an unguarded goal and hit the left-hand post.
Matthews got to be rebound but Sangare's tackle prevented the striker from doubling the lead.
Stafford kept pressing forward with both Flynn and Cedric Avinel going close.
Adaggio's on-target shot was gathered up by Clarke. Late in the game Salisbury should have put the outcome beyond doubt.
Matthews lifted the ball over from 15 yards and forced a good block out of Loach, who also saved from substitute Matt Tubbs.
Salisbury City (4-4-2): R Clarke, Bass, Oliver, Cook, Robinson, D Clarke (Feeney, 69), Turk, Herring, Sandell (Bartlett, 81), Brown (Tubbs, 69), Matthews. Subs: Clay, Bond.
Stafford Rangers (4-5-1): Loach, Avinel, Daniel, Sangare, Murray, Street (McNiven, 73), Flynn, Stones, Draper (Sutton, 62), Grayson (Oldfield, 82), Adaggio. Subs: Ingram, Alcock.
Referee: John Hopkins (Wickford).
Attendance: 1,301.
