SHRIVENHAM manager Michael McNally praised his side’s togetherness as they failed to hold on to the lead in a 2-1 defeat at high-flying Carterton.

The Barrington Park men were looking to climb off the foot of the Hellenic League Division One West table with at least a point.

However, after Steve Kear had headed Shrivenham into the lead goals from Jack Dunmall and then Sean McKeon ensured that all three points stayed in Oxfordshire.

“It has been tough, but the lads have all been sticking together,” McNally said.

“We have the same 12 to 13 lads turning up each week and that is good. Maybe we are lacking a bit of self-belief at the moment.”

The Shrivenham boss felt his side were the better team in the early exchanges at the Community Stadium, however, Carterton then showed their superiority to claim the win.

“I think for the first 25 minutes we were the better side. We were trying to play some decent football on a bad pitch.

“We took the lead in the 33rd minute when Joe Barnes swung in a great corner that Steve Kear headed home.

“But they scored just before the break. Their centre forward took advantage of a slip in our defence and tucked the ball away in the corner.

“We came out in the second half and probably gave them too much respect and sat back too much.

“Then we had to start changing things around as Jamie Prictor came off with a groin injury, then we lost Steve Kear with a tight calf.

“After that we lost our shape a little and switch off allowing them to score and take all three points – we deserved a point today.”

Fairford Town were unable to stretch their lead at the summit as their match at Shortwood United Reserves was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, while Purton and New College were without a game.