CIRENCESTER Town dropped out of the play-off places in the Southern League Division One Central after a narrow 1-0 defeat at fellow promotion hopefuls Ware on Saturday afternoon.

Jon Clements' penalty on the hour proved decisive after Reegan Messenger's foul on Jack Dreyer.

Cirencester had the better of the first-half and Felix Miles came closest when clipping the crossbar from a free-kick and Luca Robinson drew a good, one-handed save out of Fred Burbidge as The Centurions threatened the opener.

Ware had only conceded five goals in their previous six games ahead of Saturday's game, keeping clean sheets in three of them and that defensive resolve was evident again when Cirencester pushed in the opening 45 minutes.

But, having kept their visitors at bay, Ware went about looking for a goal themselves, something they have struggled with in the last couple of weeks. 

Clements did have an effort fly just wide following the restart, but he would had a glorious chance to give his side the lead on the hour. 

Dreyer was clipped on the ankle by Messenger as the Ware man attacked in the Cirencester box and the referee did not hesitate in pointing to the spot. Clements stepped up and sent Stuart Nelson the wrong way to put Ware 1-0 up.

The away side came close to an equaliser when Miles' half-volley fired just wide of the post, but it was not to be for Cirencester as the hosts held out for the three points.