DIDCOT Town’s play-off hopes suffered a major blow as they were beaten 2-1 at second-placed Salisbury in the Evo-Stik South League.

Felipe Barcelos had cancelled out Stuart Green’s opener, only for the home side, who won promotion as a result, to earn victory thanks to George Colson’s penalty.

The defeat leaves the Railwaymen five points adrift of the West Division play-offs with three games remaining.

Lewis Benson and Green went close for Salisbury early on, before Didcot’s Sam Barder saw a volley blocked.

However, the hosts broke the deadlock on 19 minutes when Kane O’Keefe flicked Eddie Perret’s long throw to Green who headed past goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell.

Didcot were back on level terms just minutes later, though, Barcelos pouncing on a poor backpass and tucking his effort under Charlie Searle.

Luke Hopper went close for the hosts, but the visitors held firm to go in level at the break.

Salisbury continued to apply pressure in the second half and scored the winner with 12 minutes remaining.

Stuart Cattell looked like he had got the ball in a challenge with Benson, but the referee pointed to the spot and Colson stepped up to find the back of the net.

Didcot looked for an equaliser and substitute Callum McNish forced Searle into a brilliant save, before George Reid, who also came off the bench, was denied.

Didcot Tn: Bedwell, Jeacock, McNeill, Hayden, Cattell, Learoyd, Agyakwa (Reid 65), Barder, Barcelos, Thomas (McNish 56), Williams (Humphries 70). Subs not used: Joyce, Woodley.

Attendance: 759.

Kidlington suffered a 3-2 defeat at Cirencester United.

The visitors opened the scoring after five minutes when Declan Benjamin fired into the bottom corner of the net.

Kidlington’s Ben Brown was forced off with a knee injury on the half-hour mark and within minutes of the centre back’s departure, Cirencester levelled through Alexandru Albert’s header.

Duran Martin restored Kidlington’s lead on 50 minutes, before Anaclet Odhiambo missed two clear cut chances for the visitors.

They were made to pay as Ben Whitehead levelled before Aidan Bennett made it 3-2.

Kidlington could have still earned a draw late on, but Odhiambo was denied.

Kidlington: Warrell, Quainton, Castle, Brown (Browne 30), Organ, E Odhiambo, Benjamin, Gabbidon, A Odhiambo, Coyle (McDonagh 65), Martin. Subs not used: Williams, Osborne-Ricketts.

Attendance: 280.

North Leigh fell to a 2-0 defeat at Winchester City.

Rob Carr’s superb free-kick put the home side into a 23rd minute lead, before Oli Bailey made the points safe late on by lobbing goalkeeper Ross Grimshaw.

In the East Division, Thame United scored three goals in six second-half minutes to earn a 3-1 win at Northwood.

The visitors thought they had taken an early lead only for Jamie Essex to be denied by the offside flag.

Dan West then saw an effort tipped over, before Lynton Goss was denied as Thame started brightly.

But they fell behind on 21 minutes when Liam Tack committed a foul in the penalty area and Jermain Osei scored from the penalty spot.

Thame pressed, but had to wait until the 72nd minute to level when Goss fired home.

They took the lead three minutes later, Tom Ashworth firing home following a scramble, before James McGowan headed in to make it 3-1 on 78 minutes.

Thame Utd: Hill, Mepham, Lynn, Essex (Murray), McGowan, Ashworth, Tack (Evans), Goss, Sturgess, West, Ricketts (Morris).

Attendance: 121.

Banbury United were denied victory in the dying seconds as they were forced to settle for a point in a 3-3 draw at home to Merthyr Town.

Substitute Leam Howards scored twice and played a part in Elliot Sandy’s goal as the Puritans led 3-2 in the Premier Division encounter.

But Owain Jones slotted home in the 90th-minute to deny Mike Ford’s side victory.

The visitors took the lead on 39 minutes when Ian Traylor sent Jack Harding the wrong way from the penalty spot.

But Banbury equalised on 50 minutes following a long goal kick which Jack Self raced onto, beat the goalkeeper, and squared for Howards who coolly back-heeled home.

It was soon 2-1 when Luke Carnell saw his header from a Tom Winters free-kick saved and Howards fired home on the rebound.

Merthyr equalised on 74 minutes when Jones scored at the back post.

But just seconds later, Banbury retook the lead as Browne’s bobbling pass found Winters who squared for Sandy to fire home.

However, they were denied victory late on when the ball was fired across the area and Jones slotted home.

Banbury Utd: Harding, Ngathe, Bradbury, Nash, Wise, Carnell, Self, Finch, Sandy (Johnson 87), Humphreys (Winters 64), Wright (Howards 46). Subs not used: Stonehouse, Awadh.

Attendance: 512.