AFC Totton boosted their promotion hopes and dealt a blow to Cirencester Town with a hard-fought 1-0 victory in Southern League Division One South, writes Benjamin Rees.

Hisham Kasimu’s 66th-minute winner earned the Stags all three points, leaving them third in the table - six points behind leaders Frome Town with a game in hand.

The two sides both had early forays forward without much result, with the best chance falling to the formidable figure of Nicholas Peare for the visitors, but his headed effort went over the bar.

The Stags grew into the contest and Ethan Taylor ran a delightful one-two with Kasimu, but he could only steer his effort wide.

Kasimu nearly scored soon after, with a rasping drive that went narrowly off target.

But neither side could break the deadlock as they went into half-time goalless.

The second half saw the hosts go from strength-to-strength. Taylor had a goal ruled out for offside before having a powerful shot beaten away by the travelling goalkeeper Alexander Harris.

The pressure told soon after as Taylor won a penalty after a mistimed challenge just inside the area.

Kasimu showed nerves of steel from the spot to pick out the bottom right corner.

The Centurions almost equalised late on but Lewis Noice pulled off an incredible reflex triple-save from a corner to maintain the hosts’ lead.

The Stags made a number of strong challenges while rebuffing the visiting forwards, as they whittled down the clock to ensure a hard-earned victory and a valuable three points.