FAIRFORD Town’s FA Vase hopes fizzled out on Bonfire Night as they fell to a 4-0 defeat away at Bitton.

Jody Bevan’s side had initially been looking to reach the third round of the national knockout competition on Saturday, only for their match against the Bristol outfit to be called off owing to the wet weather.

The contest was hastily rearranged for midweek, and it proved a step too far for Fairford in their aim to move closer to a dream Wembley final.

Despite his side sitting second in the Hellenic League Premier Division table, boss Bevan was quick to paint Fairford as the underdogs against Toolstation League Premier Division opponents Bitton.

However, that proved far from the case in the early stages and the visitors felt aggrieved at not being allowed the chance to break the deadlock from the penalty spot as the referee waved away their appeals after Callum Preece took a tumble in the box.

Fairford were then hit by a sucker-punch just after the half-hour mark as Aysa Corrick fired Bitton ahead – a lead they held until the break.

The visitors came flying out of the blocks after the change of ends and only the woodwork denied them an equaliser as Connor Thompson crashed an effort against the post.

Again, that was to come back to haunt Fairford as Bitton doubled their lead after just four minutes of the second half through Ryan Bath.

And Fairford’s fate was finally sealed in the closing stages as Bath struck twice more – including once from the penalty spot – to send Bitton through to the next round.

Elsewhere, Shrivenham were in league action in the Hellenic Premier and claimed a 3-1 win away at Brimscombe & Thrupp.

Shrivvy got off to a dream start as Tom Ballard fired them ahead in the opening exchanges, although the home side restored parity through James Campbell.

The visitors restored their lead before the interval, though, as Antonio Gerrish’s long-range strike took a deflection to leave the goalkeeper stranded.

Shrivvy pulled further clear after the break as Steve Robertson made it 3-1 midway through the second half.

There was also a 3-1 success for Malmesbury Victoria in Division One West as they won at home to Cirencester Town Development.

The Vics were forced to come from behind, though, as Natt Bell put Ciren ahead early on.

Once the hosts, it their stride, it was a straightforward evening as Shannon Pocock, Jamie Packer and Aaron Stevens were all on target.