CIRNECESTER'S lingering hopes of pinching the Western Division title were extinguished following a 2-1 defeat at Rugby United.

The Centurions had to triumph and hope that Gloucester won at Redditch to keep the dream alive.

Gloucester did their bit with a 1-0 victory but Ciren never recovered from going two behind in the opening half an hour at Butlin Road and Gareth Hopkins' second-half penalty miss proved costly.

The hosts started brightly with Justin Marsden latching on to a long clearance from keeper Jason Pearcey, forcing Paul Thompson to come a long way off his line to clear the danger.

Cirencester countered with Ben Fitch and Adam Mayo linking up well to find Shaun Wimble in space but his angled shot was well saved by Pearcey.

The damage was then done as the hosts hit two goals as many minutes midway through the half.

On the first occasion, Ciren failed to clear a break down the right, Rory Squire found Marsden and he fired home a terrific low shot into the far corner.

The lead was quickly doubled when Jamie Williams broke from defence, eased past two Ciren defenders and unleashed a powerful drive beyond the despairing Thompson.

Cirencester hit back; Jody Bevan went close with a first-time volley before a Mike Davis cross was headed wide by the same player. With half time approaching, Ciren piled on the pressure and claimed their reward in stoppage time.

A long Thompson clearance was laid off by Gareth Hopkins and Mayo scored with a terrific volley into the top corner of the net from 20 yards.

Rugby were quickest to settle again in the second period and twice Thompson pulled off fine saves to deny John Douglas and Marsden. At the other end, Hopkins tested Pearcey with a fine low shot after he had cut inside two defenders.

With half an hour left Ciren thought they had got back into the game when an assistant referee signaled for a hand ball in the box following another Davis cross.

Top scorer Hopkins stepped up but fired the crucial spot-kick wide and the dream was over for Brian Hughes' side.

CIRENCESTER: Thompson, Bird, McEntegart, Richards, Mayo, Wotton, Davis, Wimble, Hopkins, Bevan, Fitch. Subs: Griffin, McCabe, Stevens, Frasier, Jackson.

GLOUCESTER'S 1-0 win at leaders Redditch moved the Tigers up to second and ensured the title race will go down to the wire.

Player-boss Chris Burns scored the only goal after 14 minutes to close the gap at the top to two points.

Gloucester must win at home to Ilkeston and hope that Redditch are beaten at Cirencester on the final day.

Redditch, Gloucester, Ciren, Rugby, Halesowen and Team Bath have all secured promotion to the revamped Premier Division.

The final place will be taken by Solihull who lost 1-0 at Ilkeston or Sutton Coldfield, who didn't play.

Cinderford continue to occupy the one relegation berth after a 4-0 home defeat to Gresley.

Swindon Supermarine were not in action. They complete their season at home to Rugby on Saturday.