A SECOND half hat-trick from striker Phil Corcoran inspired Highworth Town to a magnificent 4-3 triumph over Hellenic League title hopefuls North Leigh.

In a thrilling Premier Division encounter at Eynsham Hall Park, North Leigh led to 2-1 at the interval, Darren Smart on target for the visitors.

But the second half was all about Corcoran, and his treble put Highworth 4-2 ahead before the hosts answered with a consolation goal deep into injury time.

Thrilled Highworth boss Dave Web said: "I just told the players to relax before the game and forget about our last few performances.

"We played some really good attacking football and were well worth the three points.

"Phil Corcoran will obviously grab the headlines for his hat-trick but a special mention must go to Curtis Sharkey, who came in at the last minute to keep goal.

"He was superb tonight and he kept us in at times with some great saves. We can't wait for the weekend now."

Fairford Town produced what manager John Paget described as their "best performance of the season" as they held Premier Division champions-elect Almondsbury Town to a 1-1 draw in Bristol.

The Cinder Lane outfit have already upset Highworth and Shrivenham this campaign, but Paget claims last night's display against the unbeaten leaders eclipsed even those two performances.

He said: "There are some teams in this league who just want to bully you, but Almondsbury are different. They wanted to get the ball down and play football.

"But we more than matched them tonight. I thought the lads were excellent from start to finish and we thoroughly deserved the point."

Fairford striker Brad Gill struck the bar after 15 minutes, but despite their dominance the visitors went in at the break on level terms.

Almondsbury took the lead early in the second half from the penalty spot, but Fairford earned a point thanks to Gill's close-range finish after excellent work from Adam Snook.

Richie Saunders' first half header was enough to earn Wootton Bassett Town a vital three points against Oxford City Nomads at Rylands Way.

Nomads hit the crossbar and the post, but Bassett held on for the win, with striker Neil Matthews excellent in his makeshift defensive role.

The result lifted a huge weight off manager Paul Burke's shoulders after a difficult few weeks in charge of the Division One West underachievers.

Burke said: "That win was much needed. We have seven home games coming up so that's where we need to start picking up the points.

"I need to be much more positive and I was tonight.

"The last couple of weeks I have been down in the dumps and that has affected the players."

James McCarthy's last-minute equaliser rescued a point for Malmesbury Vics in an exciting tussle with Trowbridge Town.

Meanwhile, Scott Lye's second-half header gave Chippenham Town a crucial victory in their Southern League Premier Division match at home to Hitchin Town.

The win keeps Adie Mings' men on course for a play-off spot for the third consecutive season.