BRAD Clark gave Highworth a huge boost in their battle against the drop by drilling a late winner against Witney.

The Worthians would not have been fancied by many to pick up three points at home to the Hellenic Premier high-flyers but Clark’s goal in the closing seconds secured just that.

Receiving the ball in the left corner, the right winger beat his man and smashed at goal from a tight angle, with the visiting stopper only succeeding in helping it into his own net.

That effort handed Highworth their third win of the season and kept them in touch with Kidlington, Reading and Ascot, the three teams just above John Fisher’s side in the table.

And Fisher was delighted to pick up points that could prove crucial in the long run.

He said: “It was a very good performance. We went with four at the back, five in midfield and one up top, with the two wide men getting forward and it worked really well.

“If you don’t concede early on then everyone gets a bit more confident and I went in at half-time and told them that they deserved to be in front.

“I always knew we were a good side and we produced it and deserved what we got, even their manager said so.”

Now Fisher is focused on cajoling similar performances out of his team as he looks to continue their recent upturn in form.

“If we can keep this momentum going then we will get out of trouble, we’re too good not to,” he said.

“But it’s not just about producing it against Witney, we’ve got to play exactly the same against sides that are in the same position we are, and we’ve got to do it week in, week out.

“We’ve won three out of the last four games and that’s great for the lads, whether it’s in the league or cup that’s what you want to be doing.”

The only sour note of Saturday’s victory came when midfielder Darren Smart came off with a hamstring pull after 10 minutes, and he looks set for three to four weeks on the sidelines.

Elsewhere, lowly Shrivenham’s fortunes did not match that of their near-neighbours as they were sunk 1-0 at Wokingham & Emmbrook.

Nick Bateman converted 10 minutes after the interval and in spite of the visitors’ dogged efforts, they could not force themselves level.

Shrivvy have an immediate chance to remedy that defeat when they make the journey to Highmoor Ibis tonight in the second round of the Berks/Bucks Senior Trophy.