BY the manager's own admission, Highworth have not been at their best since the turn of the year but they have still been doing enough to grind out results until Saturday.

John Fisher's side were beaten 3-1 at home by fellow Premier Division title pretenders Slimbridge, but rather than throw in the championship towel, Fisher believes the loss could be the motivational jolt his troops require.

"Maybe it was the wake up call we needed," he said.

"We haven't been playing well for four or five weeks now.

"We had been getting away with it but Slimbridge are a good side.

"There is still a long way to go. Losing doesn't help but it's made me realise that we might need to change a few things.

"We need to look at the way we're playing and we need more presence in the centre of midfield."

Julian Freeman put the visitors in front on seven minutes as his tame shot rolled in off a post.

Highworth rallied with a dominant half-hour before the interval in which Jamie Mills equalised with a speculative 20-yard strike.

Ross Adams' header seemed to cross the line after striking the woodwork but no goal was given and Highworth were duly knocked out by two quick-fire sucker punches at the start of the second period through Craig Cole and Steve Badham.

Meanwhile, Wootton Bassett recorded their first Premier League win since September as they saw off Milton United 2-1.

All the goals came in the second period, with Bassett breaking the deadlock seven minutes after half time.

Matty Bennett found himself on the end of an Ash Bradshaw ball and a first-time shot from the Bassett forward was helped over the line by flapping Milton keeper Gareth Walker.

Milton equalised seven minutes later when Stephen Munns capped off a good move down the left flank.

Bassett rode their luck towards the end but pinched victory with three minutes remaining when Steve Yeardley slotted home from inside the area.

Elsewhere in the top flight, Fairford's lack of firepower was evident again as they drew 0-0 at Tuffley.

Alan Dyton blamed the officials as Shrivenham failed to take top spot in Division One West.

Victory at home against Tytherington would have taken Shrivvy to the summit but "inept" refereeing contributed to a 3-2 defeat and allowed the visitors to climb into first place instead.

Tytherington took the lead through Travis Carter but Steve Avenell hit back with a deflected effort.

The turning point arrived before the break when Leon Simpson's goal-bound effort ricocheted onto the hand of Jon Peters who was stood on the line. The ball appeared to have crossed the line already but the referee awarded a penalty scored by Jim Potts and crucially dismissed Peters.

Nathan White, Alex Green and Liam Thompson all squandered opportunities to level after the interval before Simpson made it 3-1. Michael Silvanus pulled one back with a fine strike late on, but the ten-men were unable to rescue a point.

"The contest was ruined by a completely inept official," said Dyton.

"The red card was the turning point of the game and some common sense and a discussion with his linesman would have avoided the sending off.

"This is not the first time this season that poor officials have robbed us.

"Our players gave everything and deserved to get something from the game."

Malmesbury were unlucky to return from the Forest of Dean without a share of the spoils.

Graham Learmonth's men missed a succession of chances before going down 2-0 at Harrow Hill courtesy of goals from Tom Burford and Eddie Weyman. Purton's good mid-season form continued with a 2-0 win at Adderbury, Darren Brown and Simon Pugh on target.

Cirencester United's clash with Quarry Nomads fell foul of the weather.