NEWENT Town showed plenty of fight away to second-placed Wantage Town on Saturday, but the basement battlers ultimately had to give second best in a 2-0 reverse, with the second goal coming late on.

But the Daffs – boosted by the return from long term injury of Elliott Peeters-Vanstone – will be buoyed by their effort ahead of a must-win home clash with fellow strugglers Carterton this Saturday (March 1).

Ross Juniors are also battling in the drop zone of North Gloucestershire One, but secured a hard-won point away to top-half Redbrook Rovers with a 2-2 draw, their goals coming from Oliver Phillips and Thomas Andrews.

Ruardean Hill went one better winning at Cheltenham Civil Service in the Gloucestershire County League.

An intercepted throw-in saw host keeper Jon Dix foul in the box and Hill's Steve Clark fire in from the spot for the opener, before the striker ran through unopposed to make it 2-0 before the break.

Service hit back early in the second period, before Dix then rescued them with a penalty save.

But a Hill corner then found Ollie Mason at the back post unmarked for 3-1 before Finn Jones added a fourth.

And although Service pulled another back, they then had a player sent off, with 4-2 the final score.

But promotion-chasing Lydbrook suffered a setback away to bottom half Frampton 2nds in their Gloucestershire Northern 2 clash, losing 3-2.

And North Gloucestershire Premier leaders Mitcheldean suffered a shock 4-1 reverse away to 10-man basement boys Harrow Hill 2nds, Tom Meek with the consolation.

Huntley were happy though, winning by the same margin at home to Milkwall to go third.

Like their seniors, Mitcheldean 2nds also had a day to forget, thumped 7-0 by visitors Lydney Town B, who jumped above their hosts to fourth in NG2.

Lydbrook A also missed out 2-1 at home to Ruardean Hill Rangers A in an NG3 third v fourth battle, Harley Green and Alfie Nicholls on target for the winners.

Other fixtures this Saturday (March 1) include – Ruardean Hill Rangers v Filton Athletic, Lydbrook Ath v Cheltenham CS 2nds, Ellwood v Mitcheldean, Howle Hill v Blakeney (Weston), Huntley v Broadwell, Ruardean Utd v Redbrook Rovers, Tidenham v Longhope, Mitcheldean 2nds v Mushet & Coalway 2nds, Lydbrook Ath A v Alvington Star, Blakeney 2nds v Ruardean Hill A.