DIDCOT were handed the initiative in the race for the Hellenic Premier title after Fairford stunned leaders Highworth.

Terry Moore scored the only goal of the game at Cinder Lane, while Didcot's 3-1 win over Pegasus put them a point behind with a game in hand on the Swindon side.

Before the match, Highworth boss John Fisher had reservations that Fairford could have the edge if the derby turned into a scrap.

In the end his side were simply outplayed and he was the first to admit it.

"They totally deserved it," he said. "I put my hands up and admit the better side won.

"That's the first time our midfield has been 80 per cent outplayed.

"People said to me we didn't play well, but Fairford didn't let us play."

It could have been a different story had Phil Corcoran netted from the spot after seven minutes following Gareth Davies' foul on Justin Miller.

But former Fairford man Corcoran saw his penalty saved by James Price and the hosts seized the initiative after that.

Moore, Lee Clark and Dave Toomey all missed decent openings before the deadlock was broken on 56 minutes.

Moore was given the chance on a plate after sloppy Highworth defending and the forward lashed a 15-yard drive beyond Elliot Jackson's grasp.

Now Highworth are left hoping Fairford can do the same to Didcot when they meet at Cinder Lane next weekend.

"I'm very disappointed but there could still be a twist in this title race," added Fisher.

"All I hope is that Fairford replicate that performance against Didcot next week."

Defeat was also a massive blow for Wootton Bassett, though for entirely different reasons.

A 4-1 slump at fellow strugglers Bicester saw the two clubs trade places in the table, putting Bassett back into the bottom two and staring relegation in the face.

Rob Day hit a late consolation, but Bassett must now win all of their remaining three games to escape the four-berth drop zone.

Shrivenham also suffered a potentially crucial defeat in Division One West.

Alan Dyton's men were crushed 4-0 at home by Easington Sports handing first place in the standings back to Trowbridge.

"We were second best in every department," admitted Dyton.

"The passing wasn't good enough, the movement wasn't good enough and we looked lethargic.

"We were beaten 4-0 and that was a fair result we got what we deserved.

"But we've won 12 out of 13 games and if we win our last two we'll be champions."

Purton produced some of their best football of the season to go one up at the break courtesy of Paul Blagdon's header against Middle Barton.

But they were outmuscled in the second period and the hosts equalised with 15 minutes remaining.

Purton co-boss Sean Clark said:

"That was probably another two points dropped rather than a point gained after such a good first-half performance.

"We just need to turn territory and possession into goals when were dominating sides."