NEWENT Town had to give second best to Hellenic One leaders FC Stratford on Saturday, losing 2-0 on a difficult surface at Wildsmith Meadow, but staying in the play-off zone.

A quick one-two on 16 minutes saw Ben Cook pick the ball up in midfield to slip Jacob Williams in for 1-0 to the Bears.

Stratford then cleared a great Daffs chance off the line for a leveller, before the hosts’ Matt Nestorowski headed just wide.

A ball into the Newent box saw their keeper flattened, resulting in a free-kick, but no caution before half-time, where the score was still 1-0.

But the Bears doubled the lead in the 68th minute when Tom Daccus drove to the byline and fired a low cross into the box where Cai Hodson struck the ball past the Newent keeper from 12 yards.

Sam Judge shot a foot wide late on as the Daffs pushed to get back into it, but it wasn't to be, with the loss leaving Newent fifth.

Ruardean Hill Rangers missed out 5-1 at defending champions Frampton in the semi-final of the Les James Cup.

The hosts took the lead on 17 minutes when a Billy Curtis cross was missed by a defender and Manolo Marquez headed home.

Five minutes into the second half Marquez scored again when he squeezed the ball past Aaron Underwood in the Hill goal.

Oli Mason then had a good chance to pull a goal back when he ran clear, but Tom Kaye was on hand to save.

Theo Browne then made it 3-0 heading in a Joe Rowsell cross before Ruardean pulled one back when a cross by Mason was deflected in by a Frampton defender.

But Browne scored his second cutting inside and slotting home and Frampton’s fifth came from a Ruardean own goal.

Lydbrook Athletic also crashed out of the Gloucestershire Senior Cup, 4-0 at home to Longlevens 2nds.

And Gloucestershire Northern 2 table mates Mitcheldean lost 3-1 at home to mid-table Viney St Swithins after going into half-time all square at 1-1, which leaves them four points adrift at the bottom.

Goals from Kristian Milnes and Sam Thorne fired Howle Hill to a 2-1 win over Broadwell 2nds at Weston playing fields though, lifting them to sixth in North Gloucestershire Premier.

And strikes from Joe Carruthers and Jayden Jackson secured a 2-0 win for Lydbrook 2nds away to Ruardean Hill 2nds, leaving them third in NG1.

Rangers' near neighbours Ruardean United were also beaten 6-2 at Redmarley & Tibberton, Finley Welch with a consolation brace.

Carl Stevens high-fived it with five goals as Lydbrook A hit a magnificent seven at home to Staunton & Corse A however, winning 7-2 to go second in NG3, with the other goals from Dewi Stewart and Jordan Young.

And Longhope 2nds twice came from behind to beat hosts Redbrook Rovers 2nds 3-2, the goals coming from Rufat Dida, Peter Webb and Josh Ridler.

Fixtures this Saturday include – Newent Town v Marlow 2nds, Sharpness v Ruardean Hill, Lydbrook v Frampton 2nds, Mitcheldean v Bream, Ellwood v Howle Hill, Longhope v Lydney A, Soudley v Huntley.