THORNBURY Baptists succumbed to their first Bristol Churches League defeat of the season on Saturday and, with it, will be concerned that their title hopes are rapidly diminishing.

They have slipped three points behind favourites Woodlands.

Thornbury started their game with City Church well but when Jimmy Cooke’s left-foot drive cannoned against the far post, it set the tone for a catalogue of missed chances to put the game to bed in the first half.

Cooke missed two more gilt-edged chances before Thornbury finally struck on 30 minutes when he assisted Steve Clare who deftly lobbed the keeper from 25 yards.

Toby Williams and John Cordle both came close and Thornbury were denied a penalty when Richard Ocone was brought to the floor in the box.

At the other end, Davis Newcombe was untroubled in a dominant first half but Thornbury would be left to regret only taking a 1-0 lead into the break.

The hosts had the benefit of the slope and the wind in the second half and they made it count as what had been a one-sided affair became an even contest with chances now very few and far between.

In fact, City Church had only two –and veteran striker Mike Ball converted both.

His first came from an errant Thornbury clearance which ricocheted into his path and he fired high past Newcombe.

The second was from the spot as the referee saw a tussle in the box from a corner and deemed the offence worthy of a spot kick.

Ball fired home leaving only minutes for Thornbury to salvage anything from the game.

There was still time for Lloyd Williams and Ash Tuck to go close for the visitors but it wasn’t to be and the surprise defeat could be hugely costly in the run-in.