AFC TOTTON face a race against time to get key players fit for the all-important Easter programme in the Evo-South West.

Despite yesterday’s 3-0 defeat at in-form Cirencester, the Stags are still in the play-off frame in sixth spot.

But, result aside, it was a costly day in Gloucestershire with injuries to striker Tony Lee, goalkeeper Shane Murphy and left-back Matt Bozier.

Aldershot loanee Bozier bowed out at half-time after a collision with his own goalkeeper while Lee and Murphy came to grief in an eventful last half-hour.

The drama began in the 65th minute when Ben Whitehead, the division’s top scorer, gave Cirencester the lead after Murphy had parried an awkward head-high shot.

The Stags were mightily unfortunate not to level things up instantly when Lee's effort smashed onto the left-hand post and rolled into the arms of grateful Ciren keeper Mateusz Weiczorek.

Alas for Lee, an old ankle injury resurfaced as he got that strike away and he had to be helped off the pitch.

The Centurians then doubled their lead on 77 minutes – and Murphy was hurt in the process.

As Tommy Anderson broke into the left of the Totton area, there was hesitation all round with the linesman flagging furiously for a foul.

As Anderson continued, he collided with Murphy and the ball ran loose for Tommy Ouldridge to knock home.

Murphy bravely battled on after treatment to his arm, but was in clear discomfort. Like Bozier and Lee, he is a big concern for Saturday’s trip to Yate Town and Easter Monday’s home derby with Winchester City (3pm).

Craig Feeney broke through one on one but could find no way past Wieczorek as the Stags searched for a way back into the game.

Then, to rub salt in the Stags' wounds, Ciren snatched an 85th-minute third when Michael Pook netted a free-kick following a foul by Charlie Gunson.

Even at 3-0 down Totton had their chances but, unlike in their back-to-back home wins over Bristol Manor Farm and Swindon Supermarine, they were wasteful in front of goal.

“It was quite even all the way through and it could have ended 4-3 to us, it was that kind of game,” said Totton manager Louis Langdown.

“But whereas they’ve got a man (Whitehead) who knows where the net is, we didn’t convert our chances and, if you don’t score, you don’t win games. Cirencester are nine games unbeaten and they deserve it.

“It’s a blow for us. If we’d won, we’d have gone nine points clear of them, but now we’re only three points above them and dropping.

“We’ve taken some knocks too and that’s more concerning than the loss. Luckily, we’ve got a clear week and we’ve got to see if we can patch these boys up.”