Hayes recovered from Saturday’s mauling at league leaders Histon with a far more assured performance at second placed Salisbury City.

With Will Hendry failing a fitness test, Ryan Ashe again deputised and Josh Scott was recalled to the starting line-up at the expense of Michael Bartley.

At times, Hayes rode their luck, as the home side enjoyed a lot of possession, but resolute defending left them frustrated, and there were even chances for Hayes to steal the points on the break.

The first half took a while to get going and it wasn't until the 14th minute when Salisbury got in front of goal, Tim Bond looping a header onto the roof of the net from Luke Prince’s corner.

Two minutes later, Kevin Davies made his first impressive save of the evening by diving to his left to keep out a Robbie Matthews header.

Davies was lucky five minutes later when he spilled Prince’s fiercely hit free-kick and when John Munday’s clearance was charged down a mad scramble ensued in the penalty area, only for Jack Haverson to eventually clear. From the throw in, a long run launched into the box by Scott Bartlett, the ball was allowed to bounce across the goalmouth only for Jerome Watt to skew his shot high and wide when well placed.

Aaron Cook had a header comfortably held by Davies before Hayes at last managed to break for a chance of their own. Munday sent a long ball forward which Scott laid off to Liam Feeney, his square pass found the onrushing Sean Ridgway whose shot fizzed just two yards wide.

Encouraged by this, Hayes soon carved out another chance and Kieran Knight was close to the goal of the season with an athletic bicycle kick from Munday’s header being caught at full stretch by Ryan Clarke.

Davies palmed away another header from the imposing Matthews as Salisbury’s aerial bombardment resumed, but at the other end, Munday got a header on target only for Clarke to position himself well to field the ball.

Salisbury were quick to pressure the Hayes goal in the second half as within a minute, Prince’s free kick was headed clear by Peter Collins only for Matthews to drive the ball back through the crowded penalty area which Davies held at the second attempt.

Hayes soaked up a lot of pressure and coped admirably for long periods of the second half without due cause for alarm. In fact, Feeney’s trickery on the wing took him past Jon Bass and Clarke did well to keep his angled shot out.

Salisbury’s substitutes combined well moments later, with Mike Fowler setting up Alex Haddow, but as the midfielder cut inside, he was well charged down by Collins and his shot dribbled safely through to Davies.

Hayes continued to look very dangerous on the break, with pacey counter attacks troubling the home defence on occasion. When Josh Scott charged at the home defence and was felled under Matt Robinson’s challenge, all eyes were on referee Ian Crouch, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.

Salisbury got their tails up and Haverson’s clearance was sent back with interest by Wayne Turk with a shot which deflected into the path of Jerome Watt. Although the forward finished and wheeled away in delight, the offside flag was rightly raised to deny him the opening goal.

Matthews hit the side netting from close range under duress from the impressive Gilbert Nuako but Salisbury seemed to run out of ideas and it was only deep into injury time when they threatened the Hayes goal again, but Cook’s long range shot drifted well wide.

Report by Nick Bell.