BRACKNELL Town’s Hellenic League title hopes have suffered a severe blow, writes Dave Wright.

The Robins crashed 4-1 at Ardley United on Tuesday in a match that saw both skipper Carl Davies and vice-captain Jamie McClurg sent off in separate incidents in the second half.

They now trail leaders Thame United, who won 2-1 at Tuffley Rovers on Tuesday, by five points.

“It was a bitterly disappointing night,” admitted manager Mark Tallentire.

“It (title) is no longer in our hands and the initiative is now with Thame.

“We know we must win all of our three remaining games and hope for the best.”

Town have home fixtures with Longlevens (this Saturday) and Highworth either side of a trip to Brimscombe & Thrupp, Thame have two games, away to Lydney and relegation-candidates Henley.

It was Town’s first league defeat since November 5, although they had lost at Ardley in the Hellenic Floodlit Cup in January.

Yet it could all have been different on Tuesday had they taken their early chances.

TJ Bohane, Adam Cornell and Seb Bowerman all failed to beat keeper Nick Bennion in one-on-one situations before a rare slip by Diak John let in Matt Cruse to give United a 14th-minute lead.

Adam Cornell equalised on 34 minutes with his 37th goal of the season, but they were not level for long, with Cruse restoring the hosts’ lead just before half-time.

Substitute Troy Bryan made it 3-1 around the hour mark, heading home after a shot from Cruse had rebounded off the underside of the crossbar.

Bracknell contested the goal and a remark by midfielder McClurg to the referee saw him shown a second yellow card, followed by the red.

Assistant manager Steve Nebbett was also ordered out of the dug-out.

Town’s evening got even worse late in the game when Davies, reacting to a strong challenge on him, was shown a straight red for violent conduct and the nine men were unable to prevent Bryan adding a late fourth goal.

Davies, whose dismissal was his second of the season, and McClurg are expected to receive bans that will prevent them playing against Binfield in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy at Windsor on April 11.

There will be a dress rehearsal at Larges Lane next Tuesday (ko 7.45pm) when the two local rivals clash in the quarter-finals of the Bluefin Sport Hellenic League Cup.