FAIRFORD Town stretched their advantage at the top of the Hellenic League Division One West table after a less than convincing win over New College Swindon.

Despite the 3-1 scoreline, Gareth Davies’ side were second best for long periods against second-from-bottom College.

However, after some stern words from the Cinder Lane boss at half-time, the league leaders responded and, with second-place Cheltenham Saracens in cup action they were able to pull out a six-point cushion.

When asked whether it was a good win, Davies replied: “It’s another three points.

“It was probably the worst we have played for a long time and in the first half we were not at the races.

“Fair play to New College, they were certainly more up for it in the first half and made us feel a bit silly at times.

“The way we played it was like we had swapped places with New College.

“We just couldn’t get going and couldn’t match New College for the way they were passing it around.

“Ben Mitchell made a great save in the first half and I thought that was a bit of a game changer for us.

“Not getting a result yesterday would have meant there was no point going to Cheltenham, the week before, and winning there because it would have wiped the slate clean.”

New College went into the break one goal to the good before Scott Griffin brought the hosts back level, but in doing so he injured his knee ligaments which could rule him out for a while.

He was replaced and Danny Hale made an immediate impact before Lewis Petrie and Matt Boucher secured the three points.

“I don’t really care how we win games,” added Davies.

“It showed that we had a bit of character. To go in at 1-0, we’re not always used to that, and we had a little chat and they reacted to it quite well.

“I think it was a bit of a wake-up call.

“At this time of the year when the weather isn’t great and the pitches are terrible it is about getting three points.

“It’s another win and with Cheltenham playing in the cup then it was really important.

“All we can do is put the points on the board.”

Meanwhile, Purton also lost ground on the leaders as they slipped to fourth place with their away trip to Hook Norton was abandoned due to floodlight issues.