Corinium Stadium, 2nd April 2014

While Ascot United's 2-0 win at the Corinium Stadium may keep them in the Hellenic League Premier Division title race, for Wootton Bassett Town defeat set them back in their own battle for position.

With main rivals for 12th place Brimscombe and Thrupp and Bracknell Town both recording victories in this midweek round of fixtures, the pressure was on Bassett to match their pace. Now Jeff Roberts' team find themselves 14th having been two places higher on Saturday.

Against Ascot, two key misjudgments cost Bassett.

In the opening half the home side had to deal with a large amount of pressure, but only conceded when 'keeper Steve Allison failed to collect Shaun Carter's header back, allowing Joe Gritt to slot into the back of the net from a tight angle nine minutes before the break.

Then, seconds after being brought on as a half time substitute, Jason Milhench - just back from a lengthy susepnsion - launched into a rash, late challenge on Dave Hancock and was justly dismissed.

Despite being a man down, Bassett sought to grab an equaliser and were enjoying their best spell of the game when Arafat Kabuye delivered a late suckerpunch, beating Allison at his near post with a low drive.

Coming with seven minutes remaining, there was then no chance for the hosts to get back into the game.

With eight games left, the team now sit four points behind Brimscombe and two behind Bracknell, who visit the Corinium next Wednesday. Prior to that there are trips to Thame United and Cheltenham Saracens - fixtures where points can be won, but only if the performances are up to it.

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:38