MANAGERLESS Newent Town slipped to one place above the Hellenic League One drop zone after a 4-2 loss at top-half Studley.

The Warwickshire hosts blasted into a 4-0 lead inside 33 minutes and the Daffs were staring down the barrel of a big loss.

But weathering the storm to half-time and then regrouping, Newent bossed the second half to pull back two goals through Ben Harbourne and Malique West, the response indicating that they have the fight to pull themselves out of trouble.

Elsewhere, Ruardean Hill Rangers missed out in Gloucestershire County action in midweek and then at home in the Gloucestershire FA Senior Cup on Saturday.

They suffered a 2-0 league loss away to Longlevens 2nds, falling to two second half goals, with Leo Marsden-Green finding the bottom corner before Theo Bevan came off the bench to add a late second.

And then on Saturday, they were pipped 2-1 by Hardwicke, Steve Clark with their goal.

But Gloucestershire Northern 2 Lydbrook Athletic lashed Gloucester hosts Old Richians 4-0 to go through, Matthew Darwin, Daniel Heaven, Finlay Morris and Aaron Powell their marksmen.

Sadly Huntley's cup clash at home to Mushet & Coalway was abandoned after 40 minutes with the score 0-1, after two of the visiting side's players were red carded following ‘an altercation’ with the referee.

But third-placed Howle Hill hammered winless Mitcheldean 8-1 at Weston playing fields in the North Gloucestershire Premier division, former Ross Juniors player Joe Thomas firing a hat-trick, backed by goals for Alfie Williams, Kristian Milnes, Ben Fletcher, Tom Evans and James Blackwell.

Charlie Meek scored the consolation for Mitcheldean, who were relegated from Gloucestershire Northern 2 last season and are second from bottom with just the one point.

Basement boys Longhope are still pointless, but put up a good fight before losing 2-0 at second-placed Staunton & Corse.

Meanwhile, NG1 pacesetters Lydbrook 2nds stayed top with a 2-0 win away to Whitecroft.

But Ruardean United in second stayed hot on their heels with a 6-1 win away to Sling at St Briavels, with the six different scorers Henry Godwin, Finn Mudie-Jones, Callum Price, Alex Rowles, Josh Street and Dylan Fury.

And Adam Cole secured a point for Ruardean Hill Rangers’ 2nds in a mid-table clash at Redmarley & Tibberton, despite a red card for Matthew Cook.

Elsewhere, Newent Town 2nds went 1-0 down in the first minute away to Bartonsham Bulls 1sts in Herefordshire League One, and lost 2-0, leaving them eighth.

But unbeaten Fownhope marched on with a sixth successive league win, Oliver Tobin, Brandon Jennings, Jack Marlow and Jamie Price their scorers in a 4-2 home victory over Worcester United Development, which leaves the villagers second in Herefordshire 2.

In Gloucestershire Minor Cup North action, Lydbrook A went out 3-1 at home to Staverton outfit Trident.

And in NG3, Longhope 2nds lost out 4-2 at home to Sling 2nds, Oliver Austin and Jack O’Hara their scorers, while table mates Ruardean United 2nds suffered an 8-1 hammering at home to Yorkley 2nds, Liam Wilkins with the consolation.