NEWENT Town slipped into the basement in Hellenic One on Saturday, following a narrow 3-2 loss at home to high-flying FC Stratford.

Josh Burns put the Daffs 1-0 up before the break, skinning the last defender before slotting home.

But a mazy dribble in the box led to a leveller for the visitors, and they then hit the front right on half-time.

A red card led to a penalty for Newent straight after the break, and Burns bagged his second from the spot to make it all-square.

But Stratford hit straight back to make it 3-2, before Daffs keeper Alex Goode saved a penalty.

A Newent cross was then scrambled clear before a Stratford breakaway cross clipped the bar.

The Daffs piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but a free-kick on the edge of the box came to nought.

Two goals from Steve Clark, one direct from a free kick wide out that evaded everyone, and one from Oliver Mason gave Ruardean Hill a 3-0 win at Gala Wilton in the Gloucestershire County League, while Lydbrook won 6-0 at Berkeley in Gloucestershire North 2.

Howle Hill won 3-1 at Westbury in North Gloucestershire Premier thanks to goals from Chris Baverstock, Joseph Thomas and Lee Harrington, while Mitcheldean’s Damon Beaumont and James York scored in a 2-0 win away to Lydney A and Huntley won 3-2 at Harrow Hill.

Ross Juniors men put up a much stronger showing at home to Lydbrook A on Saturday, but missed out 2-1 in the North Gloucestershire One clash.

Having begun with a 7-0 loss to Soudley on day one, it was important for Juniors to show some fight, Kieran Young with their goal.

But pointless after two games, they'll want to get off the mark away to Sling at Scarr Bandstand on Saturday (September 21).

Other results included Yorkley 2 Longhope 2 (Florin Crainic, Peter Webb), Mitcheldean 2nds 1 Ruardean United 8, Lydbrook A 7 Rank 2nds 1, Sling 2nds 1 Ruardean Hill 2.