HIGHWORTH Town boss John Fisher slammed his side's performance as "absolutely awful" after their 4-1 defeat at Bishops Cleeve last night.

Going into the Hellenic Premier Division clash on the back of a good run of results, Highworth were left comprehensively beaten by the title challengers.

Unavailablity to Tom Dingle, Wayne Cleverley and Nathan Holt did not help their cause but Fisher is refusing to use their depleted side as an excuse.

He said: "We were thoroughly and soundly beaten. It is very disappointing because we just did not perform at all.

"We didn't compete for the ball, defended poorly and did not really cause them much trouble.

"We had players out but that happens and you have to get on with it. We will dust ourselves and go again."

Andrew Minton scored Highworth's consolation goal as Cleeve kept the pressure on at the top.

Meanwhile former Highworth striker Justin Miller has moved from Hellenic Premier League North Leigh to Oxford City in the Spartan South Midlands League.

Malmesbury Victoria won 1-0 at home to Letcombe to move them from the lower reaches of the Hellenic League Division One West.