Gracious in victory as ever, Highworth manager John Fisher's early season prediction came to fruition as his side claimed the Hellenic Premier title with the sweetest of derby victories.

"I told you we'd do it," beamed the Elms chief.

"I said back in December we would win the title and I was right."

A 3-0 win at Wootton Bassett earned the huge shield by a single point but condemned their hosts and neighbours to certain relegation.

Phil Corcoran's hat-trick sealed the fate of both clubs and even the sending off of strike partner Justin Miller couldn't spoil the party.

Mark Belcher and Shaun Terry went close for Highworth before the nerves were settled on 32 minutes when Corcoran drove his first into the bottom corner after excellent work from Miller.

The floodgates looked like opening early in the second half as 1-0 quickly became 3-0 with two more Corcoran goals in little over a minute.

An awful error from goalkeeper Daryl Simms allowed the ex-Fairford striker to tap in before he coolly converted a Terry free-kick at the back post.

With 20 minutes left the visitors were reduced to 10. Frustrated at an Andy Hallett foul, Miller grabbed the Bassett defender to earn himself a straight red while Hallett escaped with a caution.

But there was never any danger of a comeback and Highworth held on to finish a point ahead of Didcot, who had an ultimately fruitless 2-0 win at Fairford.

Didcot will rue an all-important point deducted for fielding an ineligible player on the first day of the season, which effectively handed Highworth glory eight months on.

"We've been in the top four since November," added Fisher.

"Everyone was expecting us to have a blip, but we brought in the right players like Corcoran at the right time.

"And we've beaten Didcot twice this season so they can't have any gripes."

For Bassett, Division One West awaits.

Chris Jones, who was given the manager's job until the end of the season looks set to relinquish the position.

"It wasn't nice to have our local rivals win the title on our ground," he said.

"But the scoreline didn't reflect how well we played we didn't let ourselves down."

"I'll probably step aside now and let the club bring in a new man."