Thanks for your reply Conor
but Ceon URI Mapping does seem to be the issue here.
in that, if i switch it off my problem is fixed.
The .hatccess does what i want it to.
i.e. it serves up main.html by default
but i can still view my index.php buy typing in the full URL

When i switch on Ceon URI Mapping
i get served up main.html, even when i type in index.php as above.

my .hatccess just has text below

DirectoryIndex main.html index.htm index.php

Can i set an exception or something?
Thanks again
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