Forty-five points separated second-bottom Wantage Town from runaway leaders Hereford FC when they met at Alfredian Park in the EVO-STIK League Southern Division One South & West on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
And although the Bulls won to remain ten points clear at the top of the table, the hosts gave them a real battle and restricted them to a single Pablo Haysham goal as early as the second minute.Tiverton Town maintained second spot after a terrific 4-1 win at the team immediately below them, Evesham United.
And they had to come back from being a 17th minute Lance Smith penalty down too, with Jamie Price quickly levelling two minutes later and Owen Howe giving them an interval lead. Michael Landricombe added Tivvy`s third 20 minutes from time with brother Levi producing a 30-yard stunner to add a fourth with sixth minutes remaining.
Fourth-placed Mangotsfield United also suffered a massive home blow, losing 4-0 at Cossham Street to a Taunton Town side who have games in hand on those above them after their cup runs.
Goals from Ed Palmer and Jordan Rogers gave the Peacocks a two-goal interval lead, and then Shane White on the hour-mark and Rogers again less than a minute later, took the game away from the Mangos.
Swindon Supermarine are fifth after beating Yate Town 3-1 at WebbsWood Stadium.
Joe Shepherd gave 'Marine a half-time lead that Callum Parsons and Josh Parsons added to in the second, with Tom Harrison netting a consolation for the Bluebells.
Salisbury FC are now sixth and five points adrift of the top five after a crowd of 574 saw Lewis Benson`s 26th minute effort seal the Whites win over previously sixth-placed Shortwood United at the Ray Mac.
Bridgwater Town remain rooted to the bottom of the table, seven points behind third-bottom AFC Totton, after losing 4-0 at Didcot Town, for whom Louis Joyce, Sam Elkins, Callum McNish and James Organ were on the mark.
AFC Totton picked up a point from a 0-0 draw at Bideford.
Elsewhere, Ryan Turner`s 31st minute effort eventually proved enough for Barnstaple Town at Slimbridge, while two goals in two minutes midway through the first half from Dan Cann and a Toby Holmes spot-kick eventually earned Wimborne Town a 2-1 home win over Larkhall Athletic, whose Jamie Lyons replied from the spot on the hour-mark.
Winchester City left it late before coming back to win 3-2 at home to Paulton Rovers who led 2-1 through Reeko Best and Jake Mawford, with Craig Feeney replying. But goals in the 70th and 83rd minutes from Howard Neighbour and Joe Briggs respectively, turned the game City`s way.