HELLENIC LEAGUE: HIGHWORTH boss John Fisher has admitted that his troops face an uphill battle in their quest for the Hellenic Premier Division title after falling to a 2-1 loss at lowly Shortwood.

A late Chris Davis goal left the Swindon side languishing in seventh place, 14 points behind leaders Didcot.

Fisher's troops still have three games in hand but with a host of tough fixtures on the horizon the title dream appears to be fading. "We've got a real uphill battle now," said Fisher.

"We're not completely out of it but we're going to have to beat all the big guns if we are going to do it now."

Highworth, missing forwards Neil Dix, Adam Giles and Pete Macklin, had dominated the game but wasteful finishing and a lack of concentration at the back proved their downfall.

Callum Wilson forced the hosts into an early lead before Gary Hill equalised on the hour. Davis then raced clear five minutes from tim to rob Highworth of a valuable point.

"We just can't score at the moment," added Fisher. "We missed four or five great chances and didn't even force their keeper to make a save."

After more than two weeks out of action, rusty Wootton Bassett fell to a 4-1 home defeat to Chipping Norton.

John Magani's strike on 56 minutes did little to ease Bassett's relegation fears and Pete Yeardley's strugglers remain third from bottom in the Premier.

Purton made it 25 games unbeaten as a 2-1 home win over Cheltenham Saracens kept Alan Clark's men 10 points clear at the top of Division One West.

Teenager Mitch Wyatt opened the scoring and Kenny Hughes netted the decisive second.

A 1-0 final scoreline did little to reflect Shrivenham's dominance at home to Easington Sports.

Michael Silvanus' brilliant first-half chip was enough to earn Alan Dyton's team three points and keep the pressure on Purton at the top of the table.

The Shrivenham boss said: "It was an excellent all round performance and as well as we have played all season, rock solid in defence and classy going forward. The only annoying thing was that we did not turn our superiority into goals which may count for a point at the end of the season."

Malmesbury Vics almost did Purton and Shrivenham a favour by upsetting title candidates Ross Town. Graham Learmonth's side gave the third-placed outfit a real scare before losing 3-2.

Malmesbury were under pressure from the start and the hosts moved ahead on 13 minutes when Price netted following a free-kick.

Malmesbury responded well and levelled on 20 minutes when Williams put through his own net. Ross then scored twice in quick succession early in the second half through Warwick and a Steve Baker own goal. Lee Beavis then saw a terrific 25-yard shot rattle a Ross post before Highmore ensured a frantic final ten minutes with Malmesbury's second.