Wootton Bassett earned a precious Hellenic Premier Division point as they salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to eighth-placed Almondsbury.

That was enough to lift them outside the bottom two the widely predicted cut-off point for the drop.

In a contrast of styles, Almondsbury's route one tactics broke the deadlock in the 12th minute.

A long throw from Craig Davidge was headed on by Tony Bennett to Paul Dempsey, who flicked the ball into the far corner past keeper Chris Mills.

Within two minutes Rob Hopkins went close for the home side but his 20-yard effort went over after great work down the left from Rob Day.

However, Bassett were on the ropes again and with five minutes to go before the break Ash Bradshaw managed to head a Bennett header off the line to keep Bassett in the game.

In the second half Bassett were the better team and were rewarded for their efforts with 20 minutes to go when Leigh Jones bundled in following a goalmouth scramble.

The see-saw battle at the top of the Premier saw Didcot close on leaders Highworth.

The FA Vase finalists cruised to a 4-0 win against Slimbridge, while John Fisher's men could only draw 1-1 at third-placed Bishops Cleeve.

Andy Minturn put Highworth ahead after just 10 minutes but the hosts pinched a point with an equaliser on the hour.

Fisher's charges remain a point ahead and both clubs have four fixtures remaining though Didcot have the distraction of their final at White Hart Lane.

Fairford strengthened their stranglehold on eighth place after a 2-0 win over second-from-bottom Bicester.

Goals in each half from Dave Toomey and Craig Heany earned maximum points for the Cinder Lane outfit.

Alan Dyton believes his Shrivenham side have one foot in the top flight after a 2-0 win at Hook Norton.

That result was enough to take Shrivvy back to the Division One West summit at Trowbridge's expense.

They now lead by a point with a game in hand to boot.

"Saturday was a major step towards our promotion target," said Dyton.

"With the other top sides all dropping points, avoiding a total collapse, the first target of runners-up spot is now almost achieved.

"We will now turn our attentions to the first prize of taking the title."

Steve Avenell hit a post before heading Shrivenham into a first-half lead.

Steve Thomas also rattled the woodwork before the break.

In a tight second period, Alex Green headed the only goal from a Liam Thompson delivery.

Dyton added: "Our performance was clinical and I do believe that we have adjusted to having to scrap for points which has been a failing in the past.

"That game was always a worry to me as Harrow is a very difficult place to go and win but we stood up well and got what we deserved."

Purton moved above Quarry Nomads in the standings after a 3-1 win.

With a serious lack of firepower at their disposal, Purton played Paul Blagdon up front on his own in a goalless first half at the Red House.

A tactical switch at the break saw Darren King pushed forward with Blagdon moved back into midfield.

It did the trick as Purton opened their account on the hour when Tom Goody was upended in the box and Brian Halestrap scored from the spot.

Steve Buckingham volleyed home the second before the visitors pulled one back.

Jack Baverstock made the game safe after a neat one-two with Goody.

Purton co-boss Sean Clark said: "We were not happy with how the lads had performed in the first half.

"We made a tactical change half time and asked the lads to retain the ball better using our width and it seemed to work."

After five defeats on the bounce Malmesbury registered a resounding 4-1 win against Hook Norton with player-boss Andy Wicks the inspiration.

Wicks opened the scoring before a rare Neil Witchard goal doubled the advantage.

Wicks cracked in a brilliant third before the break and Andy Mitchell got the fourth after the visitors had pulled one back.