Reigning Uhlsport Hellenic League champions Wantage Town turned the formbook upside down by denting Ardley United’s Premier Division title ambitions with a 1-0 victory at Alfredian Park on Saturday.

A further blow on a miserable afternoon for Ardley was the sight of prolific scorer Ryan Brooks pulling up with a hamstring injury, leading to his substitution.

Wantage, who have suffered a disappointing season following last year’s triumph, went ahead on 35 minutes.

A long throw-in from full back Sam Parish was headed across the goal by Jake Rowe for Tom Butler to nod home at the far post.

In the second half, Ardley, who had lost 2-1 to Oxford City in their Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi-final in midweek, tried desperately to get Brooks into the game.

But Wantage central defenders Tom Rowe and Stuart Cattell marked him closely.

Ardley brought recent signing Jason Castello off the bench, but it made no difference.

Brooks suffered the injury when chasing a long through ball and limped off the field.

For Ardley this was five points dropped in their last two games on the road, and leaves them six points behind Oxford City Nomads, who triumphed 2-0 at home to Cheltenham Saracens.

Conor McDonagh put Nomads ahead after 15 minutes, while and Ben Moses sealed the win eight minutes from time.

Thame United went down 3-1 away to fellow mid-table side Holyport.

They had taken a sixth-minute lead thanks to James Faulkner, only for Holyport to reply through Gary Nuth, Adam Kirby and Stuart Butler.