FAIRFIELD Villa survived a scare to see off FC Glades Sporting 3-2 to keep their push for second place in the Midlands Division Two alive.

Connor Collins bagged a brace, despite carrying a knee problem, after John Pykett had opened the scoring.

Villa had been reduced to ten men with 20 minutes to go, with the scores 3-1, after Pykett was dismissed for an incident during a melee.

But they found a way to win and keep the pressure on the sides above the.

Fairfield have games in hand on the likes of Sutton, Leicester and Hampton and will be looking to build on a six-game winning run in the league.

Collins played through the pain barrier after having been diagnosed with a loose piece of cartilage in his knee.

He had missed last Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Redditch Borough in the Smedley Crooke Cup but said he was okay to play at the weekend.

Joint manager Pauk Oakes said: "Connor said he was fit and he wanted to play and the doctors had said he okay to do so if he he can stand the pain.

"He's playing through the pain barrier but he's an enthusiastic young guy and doesn't want to miss games."

Villa, who were set to play Earlswood last night, go to second-placed Hampton on Saturday (3pm ko) and Kenilworth Town KH next Tuesday (7.45pm ko).