IT was a bad day for Bretforton Old Boys in more ways than one after the Stratford Alliance leaders crashed out of the Nursing Home Cup.

Two goals from Ade Smith proved enough to sentence the Journal Premier Division side to defeat at the hands of Needlemakers Lions who will surely join them in the top flight next term.

And, just to add to Bretforton's woes, convincing wins on the road for Badsey Rangers and Campden Town saw the gap cut at the summit to two points.

Badsey's Nick Burrows was the day's top marksman with four goals at Bidford, who are now even more adrift at the foot of the table following a 2-1 win for FISSC at home to Henley Forest.

Needlemakers also saw their cushion shortened after a James Brookes brace helped Spartak Park to a 3-2 win over Tysoe United.

There was a shock for third-placed Redditch Boro who lost out to goals from Steve Perks and Paul Gibson as FISSC recorded only their second Herald Division One win of the season.

While Alcester Lions were comfortably disposing of Ilmington in an Alun Rees Trophy replay courtesy of goals from Steve Dipple and Paul Harper, they retained their eight-point lead in Cutler Division Two after Quinton's thrilling 5-4 win at Badsey United.

Chris Valentino was the visiting side's hero with a hat-trick as the section's highest scorers enhanced their goal-hungry reputation.

Alcester 2000 moved level on points near the foot of the table with victims Campden Town after a 3-0 scoreline while the clash of the bottom two ended all-square as Henley Forest and Shipston sneaked a point apiece.

Results

Journal Premier Division: Bidford 1, Badsey Rgrs 6; FISSC 2, Henley Forest 1; Shipston Excelsior 0, Campden Tn 7.

Herald Division One: Redditch Boro 0, FISSC Res 2; Spartak Park 3, Tysoe Utd 2.

Cutler Division Two: Badsey Utd Res 4, Quinton 5; Campden Tn Res 0, Alcester 2000 3; Henley Forest Res 1, Shipston Excelsior Res 1.

Alun Rees Trophy first round: Claverdon OB 3, Stratford Spartak 0. Replay: Ilmington Revolution 0, Alcester Lions 2.

Nursing Home Cup preliminary round: Bretforton OB 0, Needlemakers Lions 2.

Evesham Hospital Junior Cup semi-finals: Littleton 1, Badsey Utd 6.Fixtures for Saturday

Edwards of Stratford Cup first round: Henley Forest v FISSC, Bidford v Shipston Excelsior, Badsey Utd v Badsey Rgrs, Bretforton OB v Campden Tn.

Herald Division One Knockout Cup: Tysoe Utd v Spartak Park, Long Compton Rvrs v Needlemakers Lions, Redditch Boro v Stratford Spartak, FISSC Res v Claverdon OB.

Cutler Division Two Knockout Cup: Shipston Excelsior Res v Badsey Utd Res, Campden Tn Res v Henley Forest Res, Ilmington Revolution v Alcester 2000, Alcester Lions v Quinton.