SALISBURY City suffered another disappointing afternoon in front of their home supporters as lowly Thurrock denied them all three points by holding out for a goalless draw.

The Essex side may have parked the proverbial bus in front of the goalposts to deny City the chance of remaining on top of the table, but even without their main strikeforce the Whites had enough opportunities to have sent another thousand-plus gate home happy.

With a trio of strikers sidelined through injury or suspension, Robbie Matthews and Declan Mc-Gregor were invited to lead the line and although their workrate cannot be questioned, City clearly missed the penalty box prowess of a Matt Tubbs, Paul Sales or new signing Marvin Brown.

Thurrock's goalkeeper Max Aneke was in brilliant form from the start and a strong swirling wind caused further problems every time the hosts attempted to deliver the ball into the danger areas.

Whites were instantly lively, Scott Bartlett forcing a fourth minute corner.

Aaron Cook's header from Luke Prince's cross flashed wide of the target as expectations grew that City would put the Essex side to the sword, just as they had earlier in the campaign.

On 13 minutes Matthews played attacking partner McGregor in on goal but Aneke forced the Irishman to fire just wide.

Whites pressed again on 20 minutes when a Prince free kick was met by Tim Bond only for the defender's header to be diverted behind for another corner.

Both Danny Clay and Wayne Turk had shots blocked shortly afterwards as Thurrock rode their luck.

On the half-hour mark Hussey produced a brilliant stop to deny Matthews a certain goal - his thunderous shot clattering against the keeper who did well to turn it round the posts for yet another corner.

A useful move involving Jon Bass, Aaron Cook and McGregor deserved a better ending, but Bartlett fired well over the bar.

City tried the direct route on the stroke of half-time when a Ryan Clark kick flew to McGregor, whose hooked effort brought yet another fine save from the Thurrock custodian.

Apart from punching one early first half cross clear, Clark had rarely been called into action, but he was almost caught cold shortly after the break when a rare slip up allowed Wesley Thomas in.

Fortunately for the hosts, the striker smashed the ball into the side netting having been forced to shoot from an acute angle.

The second half had started with a flourish - Whites had already wasted a chance almost directly from the restart when McGregor and Bartlett broke forward.

Despite dictating the pace of the second period, City could not find a way through a resolute Thurrock defence.

Matthews thundered a 77th minute free kick beyond the four-man wall but still could not beat Aneke.

The goalkeeper made another stunning one-handed save in the closing minutes to deny Wayne Turk after a Prince cross.

Alex Haddow was dispatched from the bench in a bid to conjure up a goal, but still Thurrock held on.

Jon Beswetherick made his first appearance in four months as a late sub - his presence up front only underlining City's frustration at being unable to break the deadlock.