FAIRFORD Town manager Gareth Davies has conceded that their hopes of claiming the Hellenic League Division One West title have diminished after being held to a goalless draw at home to Shrivenham.

In a game that was deprived of any real quality from either side, the hosts had the best chances to open the scoring in the first half when Scott Chilcott was denied on the line by Jack Pedder before Jack Ellis struck the crossbar on the half-volley.

However, Shrivenham came into the game before the break, with Daryl Chapman seeing his shot from a corner cleared at the foot of the post.

Neither goalkeeper was called into any notable action in the second half as the game petered out into a 0-0 draw.

But, with Carterton completing a 7-0 demolition of Cirencester Town Development, Fairford’s lead at the top has been reduced to one point, with the Oxfordshire side having three games in hand.

“It was frustrating,” said Davies.

“We knew what today was going to be, it was going to be a battle. They were going to try and come here and try and upset and try and break our rhythm.

“They have thrown some tackles in and it has upset one or two and they have defended and it is a decent point for them.

“Every team is going to want to come here and do that to us and we are a bit naïve in that we have to be more professional in the way we do things.

“I think that would be the league done for us, we just need to try and concentrate on trying to get promotion.

“We always knew it was going to be a big ask to go on and win nine or 10 games to stay in it, but obviously they are disappointed.”

Meanwhile, Shrivenham are up to 10th place, seven points clear of bottom side Tytherington Rocks “That is probably the worst we have played in the last two months but our work-rate and our desire to defend and put our bodies on the line was second to none,” said manager Michael McNally.

“Probably the first half-an-hour, they were the better side and we probably gave them too much respect.

“I had a few words half-an-hour into the game and we put a few challenges in and then we came into it in the last 15 of the first half and we didn’t want the first half to finish.

“We had a few half-chances and then second half it was a bit of a scrap and either team could have won it.

“They are a good side and are not top of the league for no reason, so I am over the moon with the result.”

Elsewhere, Purton suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Hook Norton, while there was no joy for New College either as they were beaten 3-1 by visitors Easington Sports.