DAVE Turner anticipates his Wootton Bassett side will preserve their Hellenic Premier status following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Kidlington.

Bassett are currently seven points from safety with two games in hand, and when asked if his side were safe from the drop, Turner said: “Not hundred per cent, but do I think we will be? Yes, I absolutely do.”

“It’s not mathematically certain but I don’t think we’re one of the worst four teams in the league. We fully expect to have another six to nine points by the end of the season.

“We’ve competed against clubs that have been established for a long time at this level, and if we stay up it’s a great achievement and I do believe we will.”

Sam Packer scored Bassett’s goal against Kidlington on Saturday before Jimmy Deabill later levelled the match.

Elsewhere, Shrivenham’s hopes of guaranteeing survival have now all but disappeared after they lost 2-1 at home to Bracknell.

Tom Nugent gave the visitors an eighth-minute lead before Steve Robertson replied from the spot midway through the half.

That was the way it stayed until 15 minutes from time, when Nugent popped up with the winner.

Lowly Fairford were subjected to a 3-0 defeat at Thame as James Faulkner (2) and Aaron Rogers got on the scoresheet for the hosts.

There was no game for title-chasing Highworth and they find themselves in action on Tuesday and Thursday this week.

In Division One West there was a thumping victory for Malmesbury, who moved to third-bottom in the table after cruising to a 4-0 success at home to Launton.

Goals inside the first 10 minutes from Alan Hawthorne and Carl Taylor set Vics up nicely and just before the hour mark Ed Wilkins added a third.

With 12 minutes remaining Mark Field converted from the spot to put the polish on an emphatic win.

Cricklade held second-placed Bicester to a 1-1 draw with the first-half goals scored within a matter of seconds of each other.

Dan Green put the Foxhunters ahead in the 27th minute but seconds later Alex Povey replied, and that was how it stayed until the end.

Purton also drew 1-1, this time with visitors Tytherington. Jon Tyrrell put Rocks ahead before half time but James Richards rescued a point for Purton on the hour mark.