FAIRFORD Town maintained their grasp on top spot in Hellenic League Division One West by edging out local rivals Purton at the Red House on Saturday.

Gareth Davies’ side remain under pressure from the chasing pack but a 2-1 victory on the road, which stretched their unbeaten run in the league to nine matches, means the ball remains in Fairford’s court.

Jack Ellis and Jason Milhench threatened for the visitors early on but after Purton’s Joe Dorey had struck the upright from a free-kick, the winger put the hosts in front straight from a corner kick, with his arcing inswinging delivery pinging in off the far post.

But in the second period, Nathan Gambling levelled matters, finishing deftly past Purton goalie Dan Butler before Fairford grabbed their second from the spot.

After Butler kept out Gambling, James Lawrence-Forbes’ follow-up was adjudged to have been handled and as the hosts protested the decision, Aaron Stevens was sent off for dissent.

Striker Gambling saw his spot-kick saved low by Purton stopper Butler but he was powerless to prevent Ellis from tucking away the winner from the rebound.

Davies’ title-challengers have just three league outings remaining this term and the Fairford boss was simply pleased to see his troops snaffle another vital three points.

“We always knew they were going to give us a game,” said Davies.

“The first 20 minutes; we didn’t take our chances and they scored from a corner but we had enough in the tank, I think, and it was a case of putting it away the next time we had a chance – Nath’s goal for 1-1 has changed the game and I thought we came into our own then.

“I don’t think the officials helped. The corner they scored from wasn’t a corner and if we’d got beat 1-0, I wouldn’t have been a happy bunny.

“At the end of the day, it’s three points and we’ve got the big one now on Tuesday against Carterton.

“That is another well-earned three points and it was another banana skin for us, just like last Tuesday against Shortwood (Reserves).

“We just have to grind out results. It doesn’t matter how you do it – you’ve just got to win.”

Meanwhile, Purton manager Justin Miller was also less than impressed with the officials, taking particular issue with the award of Fairford’s penalty.

He said: “Our lads have said it’s not hit a hand because they were getting down to chest it, and the officials have gone and ruined the game; what more can you say.

“The referee’s then sent off our lad because of the frustrations over the decision but not once did our players give the referee or the linesman any grief – we’re well-disciplined.

“It was a good derby game. There wasn’t really a lot in it in the first half but we got the goal and went in at half-time at 1-0 but in the second half, against the wind, they put a bit of pressure on us.

“They scored what was a bit of a soft goal but we kind of got back in it before the penalty happened.”