Letcombe gave a more spirited display than a week earlier against North Leigh United but were beaten by a more clinical Fairford Town outfit at Bassett Road.

Manager David Richardson was without Luke Stone following a serious leg injury sustained at Eynsham Park last Saturday. Also missing this match were Dan Hoskin, Luke Faircloth, Andy Goodchild and Richard Claydon. We welcomed back Matt Pill, Sean Webb and Rob Owen and gave starts to Ross Packham and Jack Hamblin.

With Bassett Road bathed in early April sunshine the opening stages were evenly fought as both sides tried to establish a foothold in the game. The visitors started well and we held firm against some early set piece opportunities.

Our first chance came on 14 minutes when Rob Owen showed great technique to pick out Tom Rowe in Fairford's box. Rowe's effort was saved by Mitchell at full stretch and the ball was hacked to safety.

Chances were few and far between and whilst Fairford were always looking to push up into our half - we looked lively on the counter attack with Tom Stone freeing Harper on the right and Pill and Packham linking well on the left. We did need Danny Joyce to tip a 37th minute free kick onto the cross bar though as the visitors threatened.

We were frustrated that with half time approaching, Fairford forced the game's opener. The ball was crossed right in front of our goal and Luke Cordery powered home from close range.

Conceding just before the break was disappointing but we came out in the second half fired up and should have levelled things up in the 46th minute. Tom Stone's hopeful pass bounced into Rowe's path and he shot over with just the keeper to beat. A goal then and the game may have been completely different.

Fairford were always dangerous on the attack and kept our centre backs, Jack Hamblin and Sean Webb busy throughout. Elliott Harper's last ditch block denied them a second goal after 54 minutes but the clincher followed 9 minutes later.

A long ball over the top released substitute Jack Ellis and he beat Danny Joyce to it from the edge of our box to double the visitors' lead. Before the game re-started we replaced Elliott Harper with James Wright.

We did manage to get hold of the ball and were desperate to pull a goal back. Richardson made another change on 72 minutes with Adam Claydon coming on for young Ross Packham who had worked hard down our left.

Tom Stone went close on 76 minutes when he joked away from a Fairford defender and saw his effort well saved by Mitchell. Matt Pill also found space in the visitors box as we pushed hard for a way back into the match.

We lost James Wright to an injury with nine to play and Richardson came on to replace him at right back and one more half chance came our way on 89 minutes when Rowe's effort was blocked.

Overall it was Fairford who deserved the three points today and although we gave a honest performance, we didn't have that clinical touch in front of goal. Our visitors showed why they have been in the upper reaches of the league for most of this season by making the most of their opportunities when they came about.

Team: 1. Danny Joyce, 2. Tom Broad, 3. Matt Pill, 4. Chris Brind, 5. Sean Webb, 6. Jack Hamblin, 7. Tom Stone (c), 8. Elliott Harper(12. James Wright 65) (15. David Richardson 81), 9. Tom Rowe, 10. Rob Owen, 11. Ross Packham (14. Adam Claydon 72)