BetVictor Southern League Division 1 South

Larkhall Athletic 2 – 1 Cirencester Town

Cirencester returned to league action after a gap of more than three weeks with a short trip to Bath to face a team two places above them and lost to a late, deflected strike, writes Dave Pyzer.

Larkhall pressed from the start and when Cirencester threatened for the first time in the match they mounted a swift counter attack that led to Alex Lambert being brought down in the box and Lewis Powell tucked the rebound home after Lewis Clayton had saved his initial spot-kick.

As the interval loomed, Cirencester began to work the ball forward and in added-time they were awarded a free-kick that was initially blocked but rebounded to Jay Malshanskyj who smashed it into the roof of the net despite Shaun Semmens getting a hand to it.

The visitors started the second period very positively and took the game to their hosts but were unable to add a second goal due to some determined defending and the game became a little scrappy.

Larkhall secured the points when Alex Lambert's strike deflected off a defenders outstretched foot to loop over Clayton and into the net at the back post.

Cirencester entertain Winchester on Saturday, 3pm.