Wantage Town's hopes of closing the gap on the Premier Division pacesetters were Luke Alford, now who helped Shrivenham to a 2-1 away win on Saturday.

Hard work by the Wantage groundstaff in getting the pitch fit for play, looked like being rewarded when Wantage took the lead after eight minutes.

Matt Biddle broke through the Shrivenham defence and forced the ball past Alford.

While Wantage wing back Gavin Jones was causing problems for the Shrivenham defence, the home side could not find a way through the resolute Shrivenham defence, and were forced to shoot from distance, through Sean McKeon and Ellis Langford.

Wantage started the second period at half-pace and paid a harsh penalty.

And three minutes into the half, Ben Carter outpaced Andy Wallbridge and hit a screamer past Rob Durrant, in the Wantage goal, to equalise.

Four minutes later, Durrant clipped Shrivenham striker Blaine Fitzgerald, and Carter drove home the resultant penalty to put the visitors ahead.

Durrant was fortunate to survive with just a yellow card.

Wantage substitute Gary Swann joined the action and forced an instinctive close-range reaction save from Alford.

Alford repeatedly stood between the homeside and a goal, again brilliantly saving from Swann.

With ten men camped in the Shrivenham half, Wantage could not break down the hard-working visiting defence, who secured a deserved win.

The final chance falling to Richie Claydon, who slid the ball inches wide of a post in the final minute. A goal at the start of each half earned Clanfield a 2-0 win in their Division 1 West clash at home to Oxfordshire rivals Letcombe.

Sterling work by Clanfield groundsman Geoff Collett and former manager Peter Bridgewater, who now looks after the Witney United pitch, ensured the ground was playable.

Letcombe welcomed back Mark Denny, making his first appearance for the first team since receiving a double leg fracture in January, but the visitors made the worst possible start. In the second minute, Clanfield midfielder Steve Olphert was tripped by Liam Bint and home debutant Craig Mays drove home the resultantpenalty to put hosts ahead.

Lyle Gifford caused problems for the home defence,while Olphert kept Letcombe keeper Josh Bourton busy.

The second half began dramatically as Mays retrieved a lost cause and worked himself goalwards to feed Olphert, who lashed the ball home.

Clanfield’s defence, with Ollie Oswin and Karl Dickinson outstanding, held firm.

Letcombe never looked like getting back into the game with a poor second-half display, and keeper Josh Bourton twice raced off his line to block shots to prevent an even heavier defeat.