FORMER Whites boss Tommy Widdrington, now assistant manager at Southend United, says he was impressed by the Salisbury City side which held his Npower League Two outfit to a 1-1 draw in Friday night's friendly.

Widdrington received a warm welcome from the home supporters as he returned to the Ray Mac for the first time since agreeing to join the Shrimpers as assistant to Paul Sturrock.

City took a deserved lead just before the break with a superb strike from Ben Adelsbury.

The hosts, with first team skipper Darrell Clarke and Mikey Harris in temporary charge, should have doubled their advantage early in the second half, but Southend’s blushes were spared when triallist Tom Dunford's effort struck the crossbar.

Southend eventually levelled with a scrappy goal by substitute Matt Paterson just before full-time.

Widdrington told Sport4Salisbury: “I thought it was an excellent game – it was a proper game and I’m delighted that Salisbury didn’t disappoint me and I’m sure they will have impressed the regular supporters, and those Salisbury people who might not have seen some of the newer lads before.

“They dictated the game and showed us that you can’t just turn up at football clubs like this one and expect to win just because you’re from a higher grade of football. Some of our lads may have had a harsh lesson in that tonight!

“As a unit I thought Salisbury were on their mettle straight away better than us. They were better on the ball than us and had more attacking options than us.”

Widdrington agreed City’s goal was a little bit special.

“The goal didn’t surprise me. We all know what Ben can do – he’s done that time and time again hasn’t he? He’s a great lad, a good player and if he gets his head down and gets on with the work I’m sure he’ll have a bright future.”

The former Whites boss believes caretaker managers Darrell Clarke and Mikey Harris should be given the job permanently.

“All credit to Darrell and Mikey. I think they’ve got the team playing fantastically well and I really genuinely hope they get the opportunity to have a crack at it. They’re great guys – they were a great part of the team that I had here. They work their socks off and I wish them all the very best for the season.”

The game was Salisbury’s fifth pre-season friendly and Widdrington accepted that in comparison, his side were still playing catch-up.

A defeat to Dartford and a draw with Derby County represent Southend’s only other pre-season exploits so far.

“The biggest difference between the two football clubs at the moment is we had nine players when I got there which was two weeks ago. Straight away five decided that they didn’t want to be at the football club any more. So the rest of our team is guys who have just come together.

“In the two weeks we’ve been together we haven’t yet got the fluidity or the patterns of play that Salisbury obviously have.

“People should remember that Salisbury has been a very successful side for the past couple of years and so they play as such – the core of the people in those important areas of the side have been there for a while now and are still there and that shows.

“So if I can take anything from this evening it’s that I left a half-decent side here!”

Picture (top of page): Tommy Widdrington and Mikey Harris are all smiles after the 1-1 draw.

Watching brief. Darrell Clarke keeps a careful eye on his charges during the first half. Before enjoying a second half run-out (below).

Photos by DENIS MURPHY/Sport4Salisbury