RELEGATION-threatened Newent Town suffered a narrow 2-1 loss at fifth-from-bottom Cheltenham Saracens on Saturday.

It was the sort of game the Daffs need to win to mount a second successive great escape from the Hellenic League One dropzone.

But two second-half Saracens goals, with a consolation from Newent sub George Callinan, saw them take the short trip home pointless.

A second-half goal from Solomon Osinuga rescued a point for the Daffs Development though in an encouraging 1-1 Hellenic 2 West draw at home to second-placed Bishops Cleeve Development – just their second point in 11 games.

Elsewhere, mid-table Ruardean Hill Rangers beat Gloucestershire County basement boys Gala Wilton 2-1 at home, both goals coming in the first seven minutes.

A saved Ollie Mason effort after three minutes saw Kane Samson chip in the rebound for 1-0, before Luke Brown was felled in the box and Steve Clark duly slotted home.

Gala hit back with a penalty of their own right on half-time, and on full-time Hill needed a great Aaron Underwood save in a one-on-one to take all three points.

Lydbrook Athletic's play-off hopes were hit by a narrow 4-3 home loss to Gloucestershire Northern 2 leaders Stonehouse 2nds, leaving the Wyesiders fifth.

But Mitcheldean's North Gloucestershire Premier promotion push continued as a 3-1 home win over Blakeney took them to within two points of leaders Westbury with games in hand, Thomas Meek firing a brace and Sam Dowle also on target.

Fourth-placed Huntley were also celebrating a 5-1 home win over Harrow Hill 2nds, while NG1 leaders Longhope walloped visitors Woolaston 2nds 5-0 thanks to a Richard May brace and goals from Nathan Gwilliam, Peter Webb and Jack Halson.

But the wheels fell off for Lydbrook 2nds at home to mid-table Redmarley & Tibberton, beaten 6-1.

Ruardean United's NG2 promotion bid continued with a 7-2 home win over Redbrook 2nds, Alex Rowles and Josh Street firing braces, backed by strikes from Finley Welch, Will Smith and Leighton Beach.

And a Connor Dix hat-trick and one from Ethan Kibble secured a 4-1 win for Mitcheldean 2nds away at Broadwell A to go fourth.

But Lydbrook A lost 2-0 away to Blakeney 2nds in NG3 while Ruardean Hill A were downed 4-0 by visitors Staunton & Corse A.

Ross Juniors didn’t play at the weekend, but face Woolaston 2nds away on Saturday, while Newent visit Bewdley Town.

Other fixtures include – Hanham v Ruardean Hill, Gala 2nds v Lydbrook, Ruardean Hill 2nds v Mitcheldean, Howle Hill v Huntley, Sling v Lydbrook 2nds, Longhope v Bream 2nds, Mushet & Coalway 2nds v Ruardean Utd, Lydbrook A v Millwall 2nds, Staunton A v Ruardean Hill A.