FAIRFORD Town went down to a 4-1 home defeat to table-toppers Ascot United on Saturday, writes Chris Tanner.

The visitors scored a brace in each half, with a late penalty from John Thomas the Fairford reply against a dominant Ascot outfit.

Ascot, who had won five of their opening nine league fixtures going into the game, took a tenth minute lead with Sam Boultwood driving home the first goal of the afternoon.

It was 2-0 when Harry Laflin tapped home the second just before the half hour mark following a goalmouth scramble.

There was one change at the break for the home side, with Ben Saunders coming off he bench for his second Fairford debut – 24 hours after returning to the club from Shrivenham.

Harrison Ellis, who joined alongside Saunders from Shrivenham on Friday, made several superb saves in the second half as the Berkshire side threatened to extend their advantage.

Chances came and went for the home side who did get into their stride midway through the second period with Thomas denied with a superb save from a header, with Robbie James and Mason Thompson seeing further chances spurned.

It was 3-0 on 86 minutes when Dan Price was allowed too much time and space on the edge of the area before dispatching the ball into the back of the net.

A foul on Nathan Hawkins on the stroke of 90 minutes saw Thomas convert from the spot, but Ascot then hit a fourth through Samir Regragui to put the seal on a powerful performance.

Fairford Town: Harrison Ellis; John Watson, Nathan Hawkins, Robbie James, Martin Hall; Mason Thompson, Callum Preece, Freddy Ward, Dan Bailey; John Thomas, Ben Lodge

Substitutes: Jack Beardsell, Ben Saunders, Michael Oakes, Charlie Bailey, Tom Cairns

Attendance: 65