Salisbury 0
United 1
(Cooke 85′ Pen)
A solitary Cody Cooke penalty late on sees United take all three points in Wiltshire.
In a tight game it was a foul by Canice Carroll on Finlay Craske that led to the only goal of the game, as Cody Cooke coverted the resulting penalty to see United take all three points.
Paul Wotton made two changes from the 2-2 draw with Chelmsford the previous game, with Finn Tonks & Ed Palmer replacing Finlay Craske and Jordan Dyer in the starting line up, with both Craske & Dyer joining Will Jenkins Davies on the bench in the only other change.
On a cold and misty night chances were sparse in the early stages with the first half chance coming for the home side in the sixth minute as a cross from the left was met by Jordan Thomas at the back post with his shot going harmlessly wide. United had their own chance two minutes later as Omar Mussa picked up the ball but his drive from just outside the area lacked the power he wanted and Lincoln in the Salisbury goal got down to save the ball.
A run down the left found Jay Foulston, whose cross was diverted for a corner, from which Carson hit into the middle of the area, and Sam Dreyer got his head to it but could only direct it wide of the post. Salisbury nearly took the lead i n the 21st minute as a cross came in from the right and an overhead kick from Noah Coppin just went over the United crossbar.
Despite both teams trying to create that one big opening, the defences remained on top for the rest of the half and both sides headed into the break unable to be separated.
The second half started much the same as the first had finished, with both sides unable to break either ones defensive line. However United started to gain control of the game as the half went on, with Jordan Young coming the closest in the game in the 70th minute, as he curled his shot around the keeper but saw it come back of the post and then to safety to the relief of the home side.
Having made some substitutions it was one of those that created the next chance, as Will Jenkins Davies was put through and as he got into the area to shoot he found himself blocked by the Salisbury keeper and the score remained goalless. Two minutes later it was Jenkins Davies again as he had the ball slid to him in space on the right side of the area, but his shot was low and Lincoln claimed it at his near post.
United continued to push hard and got their reward when another substitute Finlay Craske was felled in the area by Salisbury captain Canice Carroll, and referee Lisa Benn had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The kick was emphatically converted by Cody Cooke who thumped the kick to the right of the keeper and United led late on. With nine minutes added on United held firm to see out the victory and take the three points back to Devon.
SALISBURY: 25. Daniel Lincoln, 2. George Franklin, 3. Jordon Ragguette (7. Jadan Perez 78′), 6. Joshua Sommerton, 8. Callum Watts (20. Sido Jombati 87′), 11. Noah Coppin, 14. Joshua Hedges, 19. Canice Carroll (c), 23. Owen Dore ( 4. Thomas Leggett 66′), 26. Jordan Thomas, 27. Aiden Elliot-Wheeler ( 20. Craig Fasenmade 66′).
SUBS NOT USED: 5. Luke Wilkinson
Yellow Card: Dore 41′, Watts 60′
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3. Jay Foulston, 5. Sam Dreyer, 8. Jordan Young ( 11. Brad Ash 87′), 10. Omar Mussa ( 7. Lirak Hasani 66′), 14. Matt Carson, 16. Ed Palmer ( 4. Jordan Dyer 73′), 17. Finn Tonks (2. Finlay Craske 78′), 18. Oscar Threlkeld (c) ( 22. Will Jenkins Davies 66′), 19. Cody Cooke, 20. Dan Hayfield.
Yellow Card: Carson 67′
Attendance: 1,197 (354 away)