DIDCOT finished their away campaign with a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Division 1 South & West play-off contenders Burnham on Saturday.

Neither side came to terms with a rock-hard pitch surface, but it was the home side's more direct approach that eventually paid dividends.

Burnham took the lead with the first shot on target at either end.

A punt up-field by their keeper Jon Beames was not cleared by a hesitant Didcot defence, and Rob Saunders coolly lobbed the ball over the on-rushing Didcot keeper Chris Webb into the net.

Paul Powell almost equalised as he cut into the box following a short-corner routine. But Beames pulled off a terrific save.

Burnham striker Leon Yarnie proved to be a real handful.

After his dipping header was stopped by Webb, he was unfortunate to see a long-range effort saved.

Their best chance fell to Jamie Brooks, but Beames smothered his shot.Powell tried an audacious shot moments after the interval that flew just over the bar but In the second half, Burnham's no-nonsense approach was continuing to carve out the best chances. Dean Whareham thudded a header onto the crossbar before a penalty sealed the points.

A rash challenge from Jamie Heapy inside the box left Yarnie spreadeagled on the ground. Saunders made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick to make it 2-0.

The visitors almost grabbed a consolation in stoppage time, but Josh Kennet's effort was hacked off the line by Lawrence Brown.

Didcot:

Webb, Goodall, Jack, Heapy, Bedwell, Mulvany, Kennet, King, Brooks (Spence 68), Witt, Powell.

Attendance:

168.