GARETH Davies viewed Saturday's surprise defeat for his Fairford Town champions-elect as a timely reminder that their Hellenic League Division One West mission is not yet complete.

The Cinder Lane side slipped to their first league reverse in 12 games as hosts Cirencester Town Development triumphed 3-2 to leave the champagne on ice for a couple more days at least.

Despite the loss, Fairford's position remains fundamentally unchanged, with victory at home to Milton United on Tuesday all but guaranteeing them the silverware due to their vastly-superior goal difference to their title rivals.

Lee Smith gave the visitors the lead after collecting a through ball from Josh Morse on 13 minutes but the home side levelled 10 minutes before half-time as a well-worked corner was powered home at the back post by skipper Liam James.

Dan Roberts lashed home a second for Ciren on 52 minutes and Danny Gudger netted the third on 83 minutes, his 31st goal of the campaign, before Smith got Fairford back into it to no avail.

Davies said: "If you look at the table, it's still in our hands but the players after the game were so disappointed, as you would expect them to be.

"I think what it might do is give them the kick up the bum required.

"There have been points across this season where we have just had little reminders and it's spurred us on and I think it's probably another one of those.

"We created a lot of chances and put them (Ciren) under the cosh a fair bit but it wouldn't go our way. I just think it was one of those days, but opportunity is still there for us.''

Fairford's defeat did offer a chink of light to the likes of third-placed Hook Norton, who were 3-1 winners at New College.

Max Slinn gave the home side the lead five minutes before the interval but the match was turned on its head within a nine-minute period either side of half-time.

Steve Howkins restored parity in the dying moments of the first period and, seven minutes after the restart, fired in his second to give Hooky the advantage.

The scoring was completed on 54 minutes as Joe Davis netted to maintain Norton's slim hopes of beating Fairford to the top prize.

Meanwhile, in the Premier Division, Royal Wootton Bassett Town rounded off their campaign with a 3-2 success at Oxford City Nomads.

Steve Yeardley gave the hosts the leading from the penalty spot before Nomads responded in kind through Billy Gillett.

After the break, Dan Leggett headed the hosts in front, despite the best of efforts of Curtis Meare.

With only five minutes on the clock, Dale Richards restored parity before Yeardley tapped home his second of the match to give Rich Hunter's men victory in Bassett's 1000th Hellenic League match.