HIGHWORTH Town are back on the cup trail once again, after a 4-0 away win over Chard in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase.
They were helped by two own goals, a spectacular header from Lee Wilson and a bizarre mistake by home keeper Steve Ritchie.
Highworth took the lead after just three minutes, central defender Gary Hill scoring from a corner.
Highworth's Jamie Mills was proving a handful for the home defence and after 26 minutes he scored a second with a well-struck shot from 15 yards.
Disaster then struck for the Wiltshire side, as Paul Cooper was carried off with a suspected broken ankle after a harmless-looking tackle with a home defender.
After the interval, Chard were awarded a penalty when Gary Hill was adjudged to have pushed a home forward in the area.
Matt Corrick's spot kick hit the base of the post and was scrambled away.
Highworth continued to defend stubbornly until the 85th minute, when a cross from Tony Joyce was met by a thumping diving header from Chard's Lee Wilson, who headed spectacularly into his own net.
Four minutes later Chard's keeper Steve Ritchie completed the comedy of errors when he dived to save at his right hand post.
As he clambered to his feet he dropped the ball back over the line.
Highworth boss John Fisher said: "Paul Cooper's ankle was found to be badly sprained but not broken, and not as serious as first thought, although he will be out for several weeks"
Fairford Town gained an excellent result at Bridport, beating the Screwfix Premier side 1-0, scored by Courtney Chessell midway through the second half.
Fairford boss Mark Webb said: "It was the best performance from a Fairford side for a couple of seasons.
"They were a big strong side, but we defended well and the 25 yard volley from Courtney Chessell was a great winner."
Wootton Bassett were beaten 5-1 at Shortwood despite holding the home side for 65 minutes.
In a fairly even first half, Craig Coles opened the scoring for Shortwood United when Bassett failed to clear a long ball over the back four.
Just before the interval Bassett were on level terms when a flick on by Paul Garbutt fell to Nick Tooley who cleverly lobbed the home keeper.
The unmarked Rich Evans gave United the lead, heading into the net from a corner on 65 minutes.
On 82 minutes a good run by Francis King enabled Craig Coles to add a third, and Mike Green and Rich Evans ended a disappointing afternoon for the Wiltshire side by adding a fourth and fifth.
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