This week may prove pivotal when the Hellenic Premier prizes are dished out come May.

Bishops Cleeve were beginning to pull clear of Highworth but the pace-setters lost their unbeaten record at Almondsbury on Wednesday.

Twenty-four hours earlier, Highworth managed to grind out a 3-2 win over Shortwood thanks to Ross Adams' last-minute goal.

Fellow title hopefuls Slimbridge were also victorious, taking them to first in the standings ahead of their arrival at the Elms for tomorrow's showdown between the new top two.

"A year ago we would have lost that game against Shortwood," said Highworth chief John Fisher.

"But we kept going right to the end and Bishops Cleeve losing was a massive boost I knew they would slip up at some stage.

"Now we've got another big game against Slimbridge but I'm confident of winning."

Fisher welcomes back Shaun Terry from his ankle injury, but loses Paul Cooper who has a knee problem.

Richard Knox is also doubtful with a rib complaint and Matty Saye is suspended.

Former Highworth defender Gary Hill will make his debut for Fairford when they trek to Tuffley.

Lee Stoddart is also added to an otherwise unchanged squad.

Wootton Bassett's fortunes fail to improve.

The Premier Division's anchormen are already stranded at the foot of the table having not won in the league since September 25 at Tuffley.

And now, they face the prospect of playing for the remainder of the season without one of their key players after striker Geoff Swatton suffered a broken arm.

Caretaker boss Chris Jones has decided to give youth a chance in a bid to turn the tide, so teenagers Chris Mills and Lee Jones are promoted from the reserves for the trip to Milton tomorrow.