A strong performance from both squads made the game a cagey affair. However, the Hoops were left to rue Josh Parker’s first-half penalty miss, as neither side could find a breakthrough.

As per the norm, a number of trialists were named in the squad but the familiar faces from last season’s promotion campaign were also involved with the exception of Canice Carroll, Zac McEachran, Josh Ashby and Alfie Potter.

Although, perhaps most encouraging was the inclusion of a number of the club’s academy players.

Owen Pearce and Josh McConnell both featured in the first-half, before Kian Duggan, Charlie Bacon and Phil Croker all had game time in the second-half. All five represented City’s U16’s side last season.

The first-half wasn’t a classic, as the Hoops shook off the rustiness of their time away from the pitch.

Salisbury had the first sniff of goal in the match, the away side’s number nine was on the end of a ball inside the box, but he couldn’t direct his effort on target from six-yards out.

However, City did have the best chance of the half when Josh Parker was upended inside the box. Penalty to the Hoops.

However, the striker couldn’t find a way past Salisbury’s Goalkeeper who made a superb stop to deny the striker.

The second-half brought with it wholesale changes. Latrell Humphrey-Ewers, Lewis Coyle, Lewis Miccio, Niko Nenomen-Millar and Phil Croker all entered the fray to accompany a number of trialists.

The Hoops looked a lot livelier in the second-half and almost broke the deadlock twice in the early stages.

Firstly, Muchechetere fired an effort wide of the post from range, before Humphrey-Ewers’ shot flashed inches wide of the post from just outside the box only a minute later.

Humphrey-Ewers continued to threaten, this time from a set-piece. After Bacon was fouled on the edge of the area, it left the Hoops midfielder with a great chance to shoot at goal from 20-yards out. However, he couldn’t direct the effort on target after beating the wall.

In the dying moments of the game, City almost nicked the win but were denied thanks to a crucial save from Salisbury's 'keeper.

Again, Humphrey-Ewers the man to try his luck at goal, but his counterpart between the sticks did well to parry away the midfielder's low drive with his feet.

The two sides couldn’t be separated during the game, but City manager Ross Jenkins can take heart from some encouraging performances from a youthful Hoops side.

Attendance: 154

City First-Half Starting XI: Haigh, Trialist, Bromfield, Harrison, Fleet, Trialist, Parker, Pearce, McConnell, Williams-Bushell

City Second-Half Starting XI: Trialist, Croker, Nenomen-Millar, Miccio, Humphrey-Ewers, Trialist (Wilson 57’), Coyle, Trialist (Bacon 57’), Trialist (Duggan 57’), Muchechetere. Trialist,

Photo: Simon Godfrey