A LATE strike from Lee Boon saw Binfield narrowly beaten at the Racecourse Ground on Monday night.
The midfielder won this local derby for the Yellamen in the 88th minute when stooping to convert a Tom McGarry flick-on from a Tom Parsons corner.
Defeat, a second on the road in the space of three days, was harsh on the Moles, who dominated proceedings in the second half – only to be left ruing a string of missed opportunities.
For Ascot, meanwhile, the three points secures a fourth place finish in the Hellenic Premier Division.
The opposition can still finish the campaign a place behind United in fifth, but must win their remaining two games and hope results elsewhere go their way.
Roger Herridge’s side resoundingly won the reverse fixture 4-0 just two weeks ago, but needed ‘keeper Nathan Silver to keep out an early Alex Rodrigues header and prevent the hosts from taking an early lead.
Louis Gilpin was also off target with an aerial chance not long after.
But back came Binfield and arguably the best opening of the half would fall their way on 23 minutes.
A looped pass from Bradley Brown sent the recalled Liam Ferdinand on his way towards goal, where only a smart stop from Chris Grace prevented the striker from breaking the deadlock.
Brown then went close with a header when meeting a Josh Howell cross before Danny Horscroft sent another opportunity into the side netting.
An opening would also fall the way of Ascot’s Thomas Hedges later in the half, but a timely block would come to the aid of the away side.
Ferdinand saw another strike charged down shortly after the restart, while Horscroft was only just off target from the resulting corner.
In continuing to ask all of the questions, Ferdinand would see Rodrigues curtail another route to goal, with Grace then needing to be alert to deal with a Jack Gibbs inswinging corner as Lewis Leonetti had the ball taken off his toe when ready to pounce on the rebound.
Up the other end and Jamie West was unable to keep a volley down when set up by Steve Deverall, while Ferdinand saw yet another strike fail to reach its intended destination as both sides traded missed chances.
It was just not Ferdinand’s night, which was summed up when Grace raced off his line to foil the front man as he was again put clean through.
The keeper’ also saved from Brown soon after, and it was just moments later when Boon struck the decisive blow.
Now pushing for an equaliser, the visitors would win two free-kicks in inviting positions around the edge of the box, but Grace was not once trouble from either set piece as United held out to take the points.
BINFIELD: Silver, Broome (c), Gibbs, Leonetti, M.Walton, Dean, Howell, Knight, Ferdinand, Brown (Etienne), Horscroft (O’Connell)
Subs not used: Withers, Vaughan, Luis.
Binfield are out again on Thursday, where they travel to Ardley United for the penultimate league game of the season (7.45pm).
Ardley, meanwhile, are guests of Wokingham and Emmbrook this evening.
The Sumas will be looking to build on Saturday’s point – and clean sheet – against Highmoor Ibis at The Invesco Perpetual Triangle (7.45pm).
Elsewhere tonight, Bracknell Town host a Thatcham Town side looking to secure the runners-up spot in the division at Larges Lane (7.45pm).
