JOSHUA Nelmes' own-goal in the first-half condemned Cirencester Town to a first defeat in five league games as fellow play-off hopefuls Ware took all three points home with them on Saturday.

Centre-half Nelmes flicked Darlon Furlong's long ball into his own net seven minutes before half-time in what was the only goal of the Southern League Division One Central contest.

The result sees Ware up to fourth, one place behind Cirencester, who have played two games more than the rest of those around them.

The game was a slow burner, with the game being played between the two boxes and action in the 18-yard box minimal. 

Cirencester's Nick Peare watched a free-kick fly narrowly wide but that was about as close at the hosts came in what was a difficult watch for those in attendance.

Ware grew into the match and came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock, only the crossbar saving The Centurions as Ramiah Mills' effort came crashing back off the woodwork having out-muscled Nelmes.

But the defender would not be so lucky a couple of minutes later as a long-ball was not dealt with and his flicked header came off the back of his head and found the net to give Ware the lead. 

Mills' audacious attempt almost made it 0-2 but at the break Cirencester were just the one goal down.

The second-half saw the home side pile on the pressure to try and get back into the game. Striker Aidan Bennett came close but his shot was well saved.

Peare headed against the post and substitute Charlie McCrae had a couple of chances in stoppage time, but he could not convert and Cirencester fell short in their search for an equaliser.