CIRENCESTER collected their seventh straight league victory with a 1-0 success at Bedworth.

The Centurions' winning sequence in the Western Division has been built on an attacking verve second to none in the Western Division, but it was the defence that took centre stage on Saturday.

Alan Bird and Matthew McEntergart were superb as the Ciren rearguard frustrated the hosts' front two before Jody Bevan's late goal sealed a gritty win to take Brian Hughes' side up to seventh in the table.

Cirencester were first to threaten when Ben Fitch found Gareth Hopkins in space but his shot on the turn was just too high.

In their next build-up, a great run from Andy McCabe was halted by a vital James Richardson challenge as the winger was virtually through on goal.

The home side countered with a quick break down the left and a great cross from Darren Massingham eluded Gary Wotton to leave Romi Cammock through on goal.

But it took a superb save from Paul Thompson to kill the danger.

With half-time approaching, it was Thompson again who had to race off his line to cut out dangerous crosses and with Bedworth enjoying their best spell of the game Kirk Smith's through ball picked out Jason Lanns.

He worked his way past Thompson but Bird was tracking across and blocked the shot from two yards out.

The second half continued with Cirencester creating the best chances. From a Darren Robison cross, Scott Griffin's glancing header was only inches wide and another free-kick, which was only half cleared, fell to Adam Mayo and his lob was only just over the bar.

With 15 minutes to go manager Hughes introduced Jody Bevan and Mike Davis, and the former netted the winner with just two minutes remaining.

A free-kick on halfway was not cleared and Fitch produced a pinpoint cross for Bevan to head home.

Cirencester Tn: Thompson, Bird, McEntegart, Richards, Mayo, Wotton, Robison, McCabe, Hopkins, Griffin, Fitch. Subs: Davis, Bevan, Minturn, Constable, Fraser.