CIRENCESTER put up a better display, with more passing football, than in the game against Taunton on Thursday evening – but the result was the same as they went down narrowly to a late winner, having this time led twice.

Calor League Div One South & West

Didcot Town 3

Cirencester Town 2

Both Leigh Henry and Mark Pritchett returned to their centre-back berths, but Ciren were without captain Shayne Anson who was suffering from a groin strain

With Steve Davies and Lee Smith used as a two-pronged strike-force in a 4-4-2 formation

Cirencester opened the scoring in the 15th minute of an end-to-end first half.

Matt Liddiard and Smith were involved in the build-up before Aidan Bennett rounded Sam Elkins and sent a superb low cross into the six-yard box where Steve Davies had a tap-in.

Didcot levelled the scores in the 23rd minute when the lively John Mills picked up a pass from Josh Dutton-Black, drove towards the area and shot into the net.

Didcot were the best side in the second half, but it was Cirencester who took the lead against the run of play in the 57th minute.

Smith collected the ball near the centre circle and fed Davies who carried the ball to the right side of the penalty area before placing his shot inside the near post.

In the 82nd minute Didcot were initially aggrieved when play was brought back for a Bennett foul (yellow card) on Elkins with Mills through in a one-on-one situation with the keeper.

But the mood changed when left back Matt Woodley found the back of the net from 25 yards with a superbly-struck free kick.

In the final moments of normal time, Didcot finally got their reward when Luke Carnell, who had been dominant at centre back all afternoon, gambled and went forward, nodding a cross to the back post into the net.

Cirencester Town: Garner, Mortimer-Jones, Dunton, Pritchett, Liddiard, Henry (capt), Shepherd (Bumphrey, 78), Hooper (Wood, 63), Bennett, Davies, Smith. Unused sub: Bevan.