HIGHWORTH are one step away from an appearance in the final of the much-maligned Supplementary Cup after Richard Knox's last-minute strike saw off Malmesbury Vics in a tense quarter-final battle.

The competition was once labelled a Mickey Mouse Cup by Highworth boss John Fisher but now provides the Swindon side with their only chance of a trophy this season.

Playing a more direct style failed to create the openings Fisher had hoped for and in the end a fortuitous ricochet fell into Knox's path and the youngster finished coolly with the outside of his foot.

Division One Malmesbury had chances of their own to spring a cup upset but two wonderful Elliot Jackson saves from Andy Mitchell efforts kept the scores level before Knox swooped to steal the show.

Highworth assistant Dave Webb said: "We played well to be fair.

"We started strongly but didn't take our chances again.

"But they have never really troubled us apart from forcing a couple of good saves from Elliot towards the end."

In the day's other Supplementary Cup tie, Tuffley surprisingly eliminated Premier Division title favourites Southall 2-0, thus boosting Highworth's hopes of collecting some silverware this term.

Ten-man Wootton Bassett remain in the Premier Division relegation mire after a 2-0 defeat at Slimbridge.

The hosts, unbeaten in 14 games, took a first-half lead through Julian Freeman.

Edward Ward doubled the advantage after the break before Mark Vaughan was dismissed for an elbow on Freeman.

The defeat leaves Pete Yeardley's men second from bottom and eight points shy of the safety zone.

Purton strengthened their position at the top of Division One West with a convincing 4-0 home win against Headington Amateurs.

Tom Dingle opened the scoring just before half-time and Kenny Hughes extended the lead from the penalty spot a minute into the second period.

Rich Saunders added a late brace to extend his side's lead at the top of the table to seven points.

Shrivenham moved ahead of Ross Town and into second after a fine 2-0 win over their fellow championship contenders. After weathering an early storm Steve Winchcombe put the visitors aheadafter good work from Alex Green and Tate Hulbert.

Green headed the second after the interval to keep the pressure on Purton.

Shrivenham boss Alan Dyton said: "This was perhaps our most solid performance of the season after hanging on for the first 15 minutes we gradually took control and got better and better.

"Great credit to our players who understood the importance of the result and responded superbly."