GARETH Davies hailed goalkeeper Connor Johns for keeping Shrivenham’s Hellenic League Division One West promotion dream alive after his dramatic late penalty save sealed a 2-1 win at home to Woodstock Town on Wednesday night.

With Shrivvy seemingly destined to finish with the spoils, Woodstock were given the chance to snatch a point when they were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the 90.

However, Johns pulled off a superb save to push away Matthew Walker’s effort to secure three precious points for the Barrington Park side.

Luke Cordery got what turned out to be the winner for Shrivvy 10 minutes before half-time, with Woodstock’s Walker having previously cancelled out Danny Hale’s early opener from the penalty spot.

Shrivenham remain second in the table with one game to go – away at North Leigh United on Monday night – but cannot overhaul leaders Ardley United before the campaign comes to an end.

However, third-placed Easington Sports are six points back with two games in hand on Shrivvy, meaning their midweek win could make all the difference for Davies’ troops.

“We don’t do it easy but what a save it was from Connor,” said Davies.

“Not only did it save us from dropping two points, it has probably saved our season too as it keeps us in the hunt to finish in the top two.

“We had a few players missing and it wasn’t our best performance by any stretch of the imagination, but at this stage of the season when you are fighting for something, it is just about three points.

“It was a case of winning ugly. At 1-0 up we were looking comfortable, but then Woodstock scored an unbelievable goal from 25 yards, which gave them confidence and knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit.

“We managed to get another goal and at half-time I told the players it was about being careful and not doing anything silly.

“They did that well until the 89th minute when we decided to give a penalty away, but then Connor did what Connor does and bailed us out.”

Premier Division side Fairford Town go in search of a place in the Supplementary Cup semi-finals tonight when they travel to Flackwell Heath.

There are no local sides in action in league fixtures this weekend.