Merthyr Town aim to start a new unbeaten run after suffering a frustrating defeat in their EvoStik Southern League fixure at Slough Town.
The Martyrs are still in second place despite having their 11-game run without defeat ended, but they remain positive about their chances of earned a play-offs position at least.
They have 11 games left in 2016-17 and the next two are at Merthyr’s Penydarren Park home stadium.
Fourth-Placed Hitchin Town are visitors on Tuesday (7.45pm), while Frome Town make the trip to South Wales on Saturday (3pm).
Merthyr are unbeaten in 17 League home games this season, having earned 41 points from a possible 51 (12 wins, five draws).
Manager Gavin Williams and his players have certainly not written off a push to finish top and claim the lone automatic promotion place available which makes the Tuesday evening clash with Hitchin crucial.
The Martyrs, Leamington and Hitchin are all on 68 points, one ahead of Slough. They occupy the four play-off spots and there is a gap of nine points down to sixth-placed Banbury.
New signing Jack Compton, who is on loan from Newport County until the end of this season, made a bright debut after going on from the bench at Slough, and it was a closely fought match.
The only goal of the game, a deflected shot by Chris Flood during the second half, earned the win for Slough, although the home teams manager Neil Baker admitted Merthyr should have been awarded a penalty.
The incident happened after 15 minutes when man of the match Kayne McLaggon swapped passes with Adam Davies and burst into the penalty area before being brought down.
It looked a blatant foul and even Slough’s manager said he would not have complained a spot-kick been awarded, but the referee waved play on.
Merthyr players, staff and fans were amazed, while Slough followers were relieved.
There was more fortune for Slough when Chris Flood shot on the turn. Ollie Davies looked certain to save, but the ball struck Merthyr defender Adam Davies and totally wrong-footed the goalkeeper.
Now manager Williams and his players have the chance to put their promotion bid back on course. Merthyr are still second, but they are among three teams on the same points tally and can’t afford another slip.
Merthyr Town, squad: O Davies, S Barrow, C McDonald, A Evans, S Tancock, A Davies, K Copp, K Refell, K McLagon, R Prosser, I Traylor, J Wright, K Patten, E Richards, J Compton, C Jenkins.
EvoStik Southern League
Premier Division – top eight only
Pl GD Pts
1 Chippenham Town 36 +34 76
2 Merthyr Town 35 +37 68
3 Leamington 33 +33 68
4 Hitchin Town 33 +28 68
5 Slough Town 33 +26 67
6 Banbury United 35 +21 58
7 Frome Town 34 +13 56
8 Kettering Town 34 +17 55
