CIRENCESTER were beaten 1-0 by visiting Solihull Borough in a meaningless end-of-season clash.

Matt Lewis' 11th-minute volley was enough to seal Ciren's fate in a deeply uninspiring contest.

Dave Haywood skipped beyond the Centurions' defence and fired over a perfect cross for Lewis to dispatch with a first-time strike. Mark Hervin then produced a great save to deny Lewis a second.

Mike Davis was Ciren's main threat. The recent signing from Mangotsfield teased in a series of useful crosses that his teammates failed to exploit.

Lewis was again thwarted by Hervin before the break after Andy Corbett had sent the Solihull dangerman free.

The second period fizzled out entirely, although Ben Fitch went perilously close to salvaging a point.

The teenage striker managed to wriggle free from his marker but his strike flashed inches wide of the Solihull goal.

Defeat leaves Ciren in 15th place in the table.

ELSEWHERE in the Western Division, the title race continues to warm up.

Merthyr could only draw 0-0 with Cinderford on Friday night, so Weston's 2-0 win over Warwick moves the Seagulls to within three points of the Welshmen with a game in hand.

Mangotsfield are still in the promotion picture after a 4-0 derby win over Clevedon lifted the Bristol side to third.