Oxhey Jets suffered an expected defeat to champions Ascot United as they were beaten 5-1 at home last night, but there were some positive signs for the hosts as they take their battle to beat the drop into the last three games of the season.

The Boundary Stadium club were caught cold for the second match running as they again conceded inside two minutes. However, they kept the FA Vase finalists at bay for most of the first half, before Ascot scored twice in quick succession before the break.

The champions, who have lost only twice in the league this season and are closing in on 100 points, netted two more after half-time, either side of Watford Academy player Ethan Goulding converting a penalty.

The defeat sent Jets back to the bottom of the Combined Counties League Premier Division North table on goal difference below Windsor but, potentially crucially, Chalfont St Peter were held to a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Wokingham & Emmbrook last night.

Watford Observer: Action from last night's game.Action from last night's game. (Image: Len Kerswill)

That means Jets trail Chalfont, and the safety of 18th place, by two points with a game in hand.

Jets’ quest for survival doesn’t get any easier though, as they are due to visit sixth-placed Virginia Water tomorrow night prior to a trip to runners-up Egham Town on Saturday.

Despite having the title sewn up and with a Wembley date to look forward to, Ascot paid their hosts the respect of fielding a full-strength squad.

After conceding the early goal, Jets felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Sean Giordmaina was brought down in the area.

That were awarded a spot-kick at 4-0 which Goulding converted, and had another appeal rejected when David Levy was fouled, but the officials deemed the offence was outside the area.