SOME contentious refereeing dashed Highworth's hopes of putting real pressure on the Premier Division's top dogs on Saturday.

John Fisher's side were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Hook Norton as two players were given their marching orders and the hosts had a clear goal ruled out.

Gary Hill looked to have broken the deadlock in the first half when his header crossed the line by half a yard but the referee decided that the ball had been cleared by the outstretched arm of Hook Norton's keeper.

The visitors then took the lead but Matty Saye quickly equalised, heading in Nick McRae's cross.

Highworth's Pete Macklin was given his marching orders at the end of the first half after collecting a second booking.

The second period was held up for half an hour when Hook Norton's Anton Sanbrook injured his neck and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Highworth failed to grab a winner when play resumed and ten men became nine when Jamie Mills was booked for kicking the ball away and received another yellow for protesting.

Highworth assistant Dave Webb said: "A couple of the decisions were debatable to say the least. Gary Hill's header made the net ripple it was so far over the line. Then we've had two sent off and with 11 men we probably would have gone on to win the game."

Wootton Bassett suffered an early exit in the Cherry Red Records Supplementary Cup.

Pete Yeardley's side put up a spirited fight before losing their preliminary tie 2-1 at Premier Division title hopefuls Slimbridge.

An early second-half goal from Craig Cole condemned Bassett to defeat after John Magani had given the Rylands Way outfit a 16th-minute lead, slotting past Ryan Chandler from the edge of the area.

Slimbridge battled back and levelled through Julian Freeman in the 31st minute. Edward Ward whipped in a low corner and Freeman headed the ball past Rich Stevens.

The home side then edged ahead when Cole's volleyed shot from 25 yards went in off the post leaving Stevens with no chance.

Fairford were beaten 2-0 at high-flying Hungerford in the second round of the League Cup, but Division One Purton were 3-0 winners at Headington.

Top scorer Eurshall Fearon opened the scoring in the first half with a left-foot shot after good work from Toby Clark. Kenny Hughes was upended in the box and Clark dispatched the penalty.

Fearon completed a comfortable passage into the third round with the third after half-time.

Back in Division One, Cirencester United enjoyed a fine 6-0 home win over Adderbury Park.