HOSTS Highworth edged the Swindon derby in the Hellenic Premier Division on Tuesday 4 March.

A brilliant Tate Hulbert goal at the end of the first half secured John Fisher's men a narrow 1-0 win over local rivals Wootton Bassett.

There was little between the sides in a typically frenetic encounter until former Supermarine forward Hulbert picked up the ball on the stroke of half-time.

The 28-year-old cut inside his marker and sent a screaming shot into the corner of Bassett's net.

The strike keeps Hulbert's recent goal glut going and maintains Highworth's slim hopes of mounting a Premier Division title challenge

Highworth bounced back from their dismal midweek defeat at Bishops Cleeve with a convincing 4-0 away win over Almondsbury Town.

The three points keep them in with an outside chance of the title should the top two sides slip up.

It was not the best of days for the home side who found themselves three goals down at the break and also had Chris Langman stretchered off with a knee injury.

The Wiltshire side had the better of the first 20 minutes and it was no surprise when Matt Saye gave them the lead following a scramble in the home penalty area on 28.

Ten minutes later Justin Miller broke down the left and crossed for Tate Hulbert to tap in a second and a minute before the break Hulbert was on hand again to net a third.

Almondsbury's ill luck continued soon after the restart when Dean Graham became their third player to leave the field injured.

Home keeper Tom Shepherd earned a deserved round of applause from the home fans when he flew across his goal to tip a goal bound effort from Matt Jack over the bar but then had no chance when Ross Adams moved up into the Highworth attack to score a fourth with a well struck effort.

Highworth remain in third spot in the table but they cannot afford to keep dropping points against sides from the lower half of the table.

Bassett helped themselves to three more valuable league points at the expense of bottom club Bicester Town, winning 3-1.

The home side took the lead when they were awarded a penalty for handball by Bassett's Rob Hopkins. Keeper Darren Curtis did well to stop Steve Harris' spot kick but was unable to hold it and Curtis following up hit the rebound into the net.

Bassett were soon on level terms when David Jones unleashed a cracking 25 yarder that hit the underside of the bar before flashing into the net. Shortly after Mark Simpkins rounded the keeper to score and give the visitors an interval lead.

On the hour Bassett made sure of victory when Jones chipped the third goal.

In Division One West, Purton turned in another creditable performance to beat Harrow Hill 2-0, keeping them in fourth spot in the table.

After a goaless first 45 minutes in which honours were fairly even, the Red House side took the lead on the hour when good work by Vinny Parker and Adam Collier enabled Mark McMeeking to score from 15 yards.

Purton continued to have the edge and made sure of victory in the closing stages through sub Christian White.

An Alan Griffin goal could not prevent Malmesbury Vics losing 2-1 at Chipping Norton on Tuesday.

Malmesbury Vics recent revival had copme to a halt on Saturday when they were beaten 2-0 by Easington Sports.