Edd Vahid's first goal of the season handed Yate Town a victory that keeps alive their chances of avoiding the drop from the BGB Southern League Premier Division.

However, with only six games left, they still face a difficult task to escape.

Yate remain second-from-bottom after the two clubs above them both won – Banbury United were 3-0 winners over Hemel Hempstead and Clevedon's beat Gloucester City.

Yate manager Dave Mogg was pleased with his side's performance. He said: "We thoroughly deserved our win, but we could have made things easier for ourselves if we had scored from the penalty spot just before half-time."

Skipper Scott Brice gave a sound performance at the heart of the Yate rearguard, while, in midfield, Sam Duggan played well.

However, Town lost Jason Wood after 10 minutes and Aaron Blakemore on the hour, to hamstring injuries.

Dean Griffiths went close early on and was then denied by goalkeeper David Elm.

The home side should have taken a 38th-minute lead when Griffiths was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Elm, who was fortunate only to be booked and not sent off.

However, Elm redeemed himself with a fine save low to his right from Blakemore's penalty.

Early in the second half, Griffiths released Blakemore but his lob over the advancing goalkeeper went wide.

Ryan Moss missed a good chance for Bashley and then Richard Gillespie saw his shot go over the bar.

Yate's pressure finally paid off when they took a 70th-minute lead.

Sam Duggan's corner was headed against the crossbar by skipper Brice and the ball ran loose to Vahid, who stabbed the ball home from close range.

Griffiths brought a fine save from Elm shortly afterwards, before Bashley went close to snatching a point five minutes from time when Moss headed Gillespie's cross against the crossbar with goalkeeper Mathews beaten.

Yate face fellow strugglers Hitchin Town tomorrow.