Kenilworth Sporting's winning run was brought to an end by table topping Fairfield Villa as the Warwickshire side were edged out in a close five goal affair.

However the result still leaves positives for manager Martin Ascroft as his young side continue to improve.

Fairfield converted two penalty kicks and netted a sublime free kick to edge Sporting out 3-2.

"To not concede a goal from open play from the league leaders speaks volumes about our performance," Ascroft said after the game.

"Fairfield are older but very experienced side, my young team sometimes got done by the game management showed by Fairfield, inexperience and naivety let us down, the two penalties were down to inexperience by my defenders."

Sporting goals from Jason Evans and Dave Gbehe did provide Kenilworth with hope as well as confidence for the rest of the season.

And despite the result and the inexperience shown at times by Kenilworth, Ascroft had no complaints on the full time whistle.

"We rode our luck at times with Fairfield hitting the bar and post but overall the better football was played by my young lads who showed no fear against high flying Villa.

"Sometimes you learn more in a defeat, I did today, our team will continue with the style and with our youngsters as we believe it's the right way, if we can keep these young players together we will be a force in time to come.

"The comments we received from Fairfield were lovely to hear , not just the best team they have played but also how my team conducted themselves off the field."

The tough matches continue to come for Sporting who visit Alcester next time out.