CHERRY RECORDS HELLENIC LEAGUE: HIGHWORTH Town collected three crucial league points when they defeated visitors Didcot Town 2-1 at the Elms.

Delighted manager Chris Seagraves said: "The lads fully deserved their victory. We were quality in the first half and could have scored four or five. We need to build on the victory and get another good result against Almondsbury next week."

Highworth opened the scoring on 13 minutes when Wayne Fuller was brought down on the edge of the box and Wayne Cleverly bent his free kick over the wall and into the net.

Highworth continued to look the better side and added a second six minutes later when Fuller took advantage of a mistake by a Didcot defender to run through and slot the ball past goalkeeper Gareth Walker.

Fuller, making his league debut for Highworth, was a constant danger to the Didcot rearguard and almost snatched a third midway through the half. Matt Dabal hit the Didcot post and Peter Moss also went close with a good effort as the home side looked to increase their lead.

A change of tactics by the visitors after the break completely changed the game, and it was Highworth's time to defend as the visitors pushed forward looking to pull a goal back.

The home side, with Matthew Goodwin and Tommy Wheeldon outstanding in defence, looked to have weathered the storm but on 62 minutes disaster struck when Lee McMullen miscued a clearance past his own goalkeeper.

Highworth keeper Steve Hale then came into his own, making a series of good saves as his side battled to hang on to their lead. In the closing stages Andy Graham almost grabbed an equaliser with an effort that hit the post but Highworth hung on to gain three valuable points.

Wootton Bassett, also looking for three points to consolidate their position in mid table, let a two-goal lead slip when they were held to a 2-2 draw by visitors Abingdon United.

Bassett started slowly and were second best for the first 20 minutes. Goalkeeper Richard Stevens kept them in the game with a great save from Mark Simms, then they suddenly burst into life and took the lead on 31 minutes when Justin Hyde was fouled in the box and Mark Simpkins netted from the spot.

Soon after the restart they added a second following a good move involving Vaughn Hyde and Paul O'Connell, the latter giving goalkeeper Paul Cassell no chance with a well struck effort.

With play switching from end to end, some indifferent Bassett defending allowed Kai Ridley in to pull a goal back for United and eight minutes later a poor header out of defence by Steve Howse fell to Matt Shelton, who hit an equaliser to give his side a share of the points.

Fairford Town's excellent away form came to an end when they lost 2-0 at Brackley.

Purton moved to within three points of leaders Hook Norton in Division One after gaining a 3-1 win over local rivals Cirencester United.

Purton found themselves a goal down midway through the half, Graham Robinson netting for United.

Five minutes before the break Purton drew level after excellent work from Craig Alexander, who was having a great game in midfield for the home side. He turned his man on the right of the penalty area and squared the ball for Alan Webb to equalise.

After the break Purton looked the more dangerous and on 72 minutes Alexander shrugged off a couple of defenders and hit a low shot past the keeper from 18 yards to give his side the lead.

Two minutes from time Purton sealed victory, Chris Green heading in an Alexander corner at the near post.