FAIRFORD Town’s nine-game unbeaten run came to an end as ten man Highworth Town came from behind to seal a second round place in the Hellenic Challenge Cup.

The fixture was a repeat of last season’s entertaining fixture that saw the Cinder Lane side progress on penalties. Fairford went into the game on a long unbeaten but were undone by a spirited second half performance from the Premier Division side.

The first half saw both sides edging into the game with the first real opening falling to Josh Morse. He was denied from close range by Worthians’ debutant Kent Kauppinen, who joined the club from Southern League Premier Division side Chippenham Town.

Dan Drewett was then forced off with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Lee Smith.

The second half saw the Reds open the scoring in some style. A neat flick from Jason Milhench set up Jack Ellis who swung the ball over to Smith in space. He tore into the visitors’ half and advanced before slotting past Kauppinen.

Highworth, down to ten men after Ross Adams has been dismissed for a foul on Milhench, levelled the game up with former Fairford man Ashley Edenborough on target. A fine beak, started by the frontman, saw Edenborough beat his man to the near post to make it 1-1.

The winner arrived 11 minutes from time with another substitute making a telling contribution. Tom Cole met a near post header well with a powerful nod to seal a second round place for Jeff Roberts’ side.