ONLY goal difference is keeping Highworth top of the Premier Division after a disappointing 0-0 draw at Tuffley Rovers.

Both sides had a man sent off within the first 10 minutes, with Jamie Mills unfortunate to walk for his part in a seemingly one-sided brawl.

The first half was particularly scrappy, but Highworth turned the screw after the break with Justin Miller twice going close, Ross Adams missing from point blank range and Matty Saye striking a post.

But resilient Tuffley held out, allowing Bishops Cleeve to join Highworth at the summit with two games in hand on John Fisher's troops.

"First half we weren't very good," said the Highworth manager. "The sending off of Jamie was a terrible decision. Their lad punched him in the face five times and Jamie just held his hands up to protect himself.

"Eleven men against ten could have made all the difference. Second half we've had five really good chances and we haven't taken them. It was one of those days but I'm not too worried."

Ian Concannon struck a second-half hat-trick for Didcot as the Oxfordshire side saw off Wootton Bassett Town 5-0.

The scoreline flattered the visitors as Bassett put up a fight throughout but the difference in class eventually told on 41 minutes when Andy Parrot fired Didcot into the lead with a first-time volley from a Paul Powell cross.

Ex-Swindon Town winger Joey Beauchamp set up the second goal as Ian Gill spilt his corner and Concannon easily put away the rebound from eight yards.

Stuart Beavon grabbed the third 20 minutes from time, coolly placing the ball past Gill from 15 yards. Concannon added two easy headers towards the end to complete the rout as Bassett were sunk by superior opposition.

Division One West

THE Red House renaissance continued as Purton stunned leaders Trowbridge to blow the division wide open.

Simon Pugh's goal eight minutes into the second half proved the difference as Chris Pethick's men won their third match on the bounce.

Three sides are now level on 41 points at the top of the table, with Kidlington and Tytherington second and third respectively.

Kidlington beat Cirencester United 1-0, while Tytherington defeated Hook Norton 2-1.

Alan Dyton's Shrivenham failed to keep pace though. They remain fourth, albeit five points adrift, after slipping to a 1-0 loss at Cheltenham Saracens.

Malmesbury Vics gave themselves some breathing space towards the foot of the table with a resounding 4-0 win over fellow strugglers Adderbury.

Graham Learmonth's men flew out of the blocks to score two in the first five minutes. Dan Lardner coolly rounded the keeper to open the scoring early and Dean Wilson's speculative 30-yard cross-shot dipped in to double that tally. The Vics were quick to get going after the break too, with Andy Mitchell meeting Wilson's free-kick to make it 3-0. John Smith completed the scoring at the death.