Cirencester's title prospects continue to improve after a comfortable 2-0 home win over Gresley Rovers.

The Centurions moved up to third, with five games in hand on leaders Redditch who suffered a shock 2-0 loss at Evesham.

Brian Hughes' charges always looked like extending their unbeaten league run to 15 games after Gareth Hopkins opened the scoring on 39 minutes.

Their task was made easier when the visitors were reduced to 10 men early on, Gareth Holmes seeing red for violent conduct.

Holmes retaliated to a challenge from Hopkins on 16 minutes and Ciren took charge.

A great move, instigated by Mike Davis, finished with a powerful shot from Adam Mayo which was only just over.

Davis was again the provider when he found Jody Bevan in space in the box and his powerful shot cannoned back off the bar and Andy McCabe put the rebound wide.

The pressure finally told six minutes before the break when Davis picked out Hopkins and he made no mistake from eight yards.

In the second half, Belford saved at the feet of Hopkins and Fitch shot just wide before a second finally arrived five minutes from time.

An inswinging corner from McCabe was flicked on by Bevan and Mark Richards was well positioned at the far post to head home.

CIRENCESTER: Thompson, Bird, McEntegart, Richards, Mayo, Wotton, Davis, McCabe, Hopkins, Bevan, Fitch.

Subs: Jackson, Wimble, Fraser.