AN INJURY-HIT Westfields were left 'massively disappointed' as promotion rivals Sporting Khalsa took three vital points from allpay.park with a 1-0 victory.

Despite having new marksman John Mills in the side Fields lost influential play-maker Craig Jones to a hamstring injury in the days leading up to the tie.

He joined Jamie Molyneux, Aidan Thomas, Matt Reeve, Ben Miller and Ollie Butler on the injury list.

However, it was Westfields who had the early opportunities with Mills putting through Ben Hayes on goal, but the winger's shot sailed agonisingly wide.

The visitors then took the lead in the 28th minute when Sean Williams received a ball on the edge of the box and weaved his way past a couple of defenders before firing home.

Right on half-time Mills worked a fine opportunity for himself, but from a tight angle his shot flew over the crossbar.

After the break the visitors marked out Mills and limited the hosts to few goal-scoring opportunities.

Khalsa had a couple of opportunities themselves to increase their lead but found Keiron Blackburn in fine form and he twice made breath-taking saves to keep Westfields in the game.

Andy Bevan's side searched for an equaliser, but they also found the visiting goalkeeper in good form and he twice made good saves.

"It was massively disappointing as it was a very even game to be fair," said Westfields manager Bevan after the defeat.

"Both goalkeepers played very well, Keiron (Blackburn) made one particular spectacular save from a header just six yards out which he clawed out.

"Their goalkeeper also made five good saves and showed why he has made 13 clean sheets this season.

"We probably didn't deserve to win the game but didn't deserve to lose it either."

Due to their injury problems Fields have strengthened their squad with the signings of Danny Kerr, from Winsford United, and teenage striker Robbie Atkinson.

"The teams from second to seventh are separated by just five points so it is going to be massively close with 11 games to go," added Bevan.

"We currently missing four key players and losing Craig Jones is a big blow. With a player like (John) Mills here we need Jamie (Molyneux) and Aidan (Thomas) creating them chances.

"It is so close and we thought that getting Mills might be the difference, but then we have lost two or three others to injury."