Highworth Town put a stop to their recent bad run, holding second-in-the- table Brackley Town to a 1-1 draw.

Highworth boss John Fisher thought his side deserved the point and was pleased that his troops had bounced back after a couple of dismal performances.

He said: "As the game wore on you could see the confidence coming back into the side. Brackley are a good outfit and come the end of the season I think both sides will be in the shake up."

In a competitive first half, Highworth took the lead after a quarter of an hour when Matt Jack was on hand to put his side in front and settle the nerves.

Play then switched from end to end before Ben Milner levelled the scores on the half hour, and both side went in at the break with honours even.

In a keenly-fought second period both side cancelled each other out and scoring chances were few as both defences were determined not to concede another goal .

Highworth's game against Henley Town in midweek has been postponed following the call up of five of the Highworth squad for a county game.

Fairford Town, struggling with a long list of injuries, called up three 16-year- olds for the match at Shortwood, and the youngsters did not let the side down as the Cinder Lane side gained a much-needed three points in a 1-0 victory.

After a fairly even opening Fairford began to master the difficult conditions and were rewarded a minute befor the break when a well-worked move between Ryan Lovegrove and Courtney Chessell ended with Chris Knowles scoring with a crisp left-footer into the bottom corner of the net.

In a goalless second period Fairford boss Mark Webb came off the bench to to join the youngsters for the last 20 minutes and help make sure of victory.

"I was very pleased with the boys," said Webb. " We kept a clean sheet and the three youngsters Johnny Watts, Andy Morris and Chris Hall all did well.

" I suppose you can say that the one good thing about a long injury list is that you can give some of the young boys a bit of Hellenic League experience."

Wootton Bassett, after their victory over Highworth in midweek, were looking to build on that result at North Leigh, but unfortunately they didn't get chance with the match being postponed.

In Division One, Purton continue to set the pace at the top of the table following their 2-1 win over visitors Middle Barton.

The visitors played a 5-4-1 formation from the start and must have been pleased when they were gifted a goal after 15 minutes when a mix-up between keeper Mark Ayres and central defender Martin Thompson enabled Pugh to score with a simple tap-in from six yards.

Purton pushed forward but found the visitors defence hard to break down, and despite several close calls, went in at the break a goal down.

They should have equalised five minutes after the restart when new signing Clifton Soares headed over the bar from six yards.

But the pressure finally told in the 63rd minute when Kenny Hughes hit a deserved equaliser and 10 minutes later Toby Clarke got the winner, chipping the keeper from 25 yards.

Purton boss Alan Clarke said: "It wasn't pretty but we ground out a result and I am well pleased.

" It was a gutsy performance from the lads and we deserved what we got. They came to defend and it was two quality goals that eventually broke them down."

Championship contenders Shrivenham lost ground when they were beaten 2-0 at Headington.

Manager Alan Dyton let his feelings be known to the players after the game and said: "I was not happy at all, we didn't compete, didn't do the simple things or create anything and deserved what we got which was nothing.

" I realise we had several members of the squad missing, but that was no excuse."

After a goalless first 45 minutes Shrivenham had Carl Watkins sent off at the start of the second half for dissent and almost immediately Brandon headed the home side into the lead with a free header at the far post.

Pushing forward, the visitors were then caught on the break in the closing stages with a strike from Phillips.

Pewsey Vale boss Steve Wootton had several members of the first team squad missing through injuries and suspensions, and it showed as they were made to look second best by Henley Town, who beat them 5-0.

A free header from Matt Seedal at the far post put the home side in front after 12 minutes and six minutes later another defensive blunder allowed Danny Isaiew to add a second. A 35-yarder from Paul Mortimer made it three just before the break and Danny Seaward netted a fourth soon after the restart.

Barry Flippance pulled a goal back for the Vale but another spot of indifferent defending allowed sub Darren Ritchie to get his name on the scoresheet.

Malmesbury Vics were beaten 3-0 at Witney and Cirencester United salvaged a point in a 3-3 draw against Clanfield.