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 quickfire sucker punches at the start of the second period through Craig Cole and Steve Badham.