PURTON were able to grab a 1-0 win against Old Woodstock Town that keeps them in the Hellenic Division One West play-off picture.

Chris Pethick’s side battled against a strong wind and the slope at Woodstock’s New Road in the first half.

Steve May finished from Ryan Charles through-ball in the second period to give Purton a win that halts their recent indifferent form.

Purton boss Pethick thought his side were the only ones likely to win the game after they had seen off Woodstock’s challenge in the first half.

“Second half we were on top really and there was only one side that was in it,” he said. “Aside from the goal we had one cleared off the line and one disallowed.”

Purton could only muster a squad of 12 to take to Oxfordshire but despite the skeletal nature of the side they put in a hard-working performance to win.

Pethick was pleased with the fight shown by his side and thought the win could set Purton up for a good run into the league’s top three places.

The Red House side are seven points off that target of third place but with numbers returning Petchick thinks it is an attainable goal.

“We were down to the bare bones and I was pleased with the commitment of the lads. We’ve got a bigger squad available for our next game,” he said.

“We’ve slipped away of late and that win pushes back into a better position.”