EVESHAM United's match at Mangotsfield was one of only two in the Southern League Premier Division to fall victim of the weather last Saturday but several other sides must have wished their games hadn't taken place.

Mangotsfield remain in top spot after Salisbury went down by a single goal at Grantham, while there was a surprise at Chippenham who after eight straight home wins, lost 2-1 at Bedford who moved level on points with the summit side.

Two goals in the opening five minutes helped Banbury United remain in fourth - although they dropped a place in midweek - while inflicting more misery on Cirencester who could only manage a late response.

The losers' woe was doubled when news of bottom of the table Northwood's shock 1-0 win at Merthyr filtered through but at least they remain level on points with Cheshunt who threw away a two-goal lead against Rugby Town.

Chesham were even more careless. They led Tiverton 3-0 seven minutes into the second half only to concede three times in the final 17 minutes.

Bath City were similarly sloppy as they were held to a draw at Hitchin where they led 2-0 after 59 minutes.

Halesowen drew for the ninth time in 17 league games after a goalless encounter with Kings Lynn, while a point was sufficient for Gloucester City to move above the Robins after a 1-1 draw with Aylesbury.

City, though, failed to take advantage of another home game on Tuesday when they lost 1-0 to Chippenham.

Southern League Premier Division

P W D L F A Pts

Mangotsfield Utd 17 9 6 2 34 23 33

Bedford Town 18 10 3 5 30 25 33

Salisbury City 15 10 2 3 26 8 32

Chippenham Town 16 10 2 4 31 21 32

Banbury Utd 18 9 5 4 33 24 32

King's Lynn 17 8 4 5 28 15 28

Bath City 15 7 4 4 21 12 25

Grantham Town 18 7 4 7 23 22 25

Halesowen Town 17 5 9 3 23 18 24

Team Bath 16 7 3 6 20 20 24

Hitchin Town 19 6 6 7 27 31 24

Yate Town 18 7 2 9 25 38 23

Rugby Town 18 6 4 8 29 36 22

Merthyr Tydfil 13 6 3 4 23 16 21

Tiverton Town 15 6 3 6 26 23 21

Aylesbury Utd 16 5 6 5 16 16 21

Chesham Utd 18 6 3 9 25 34 21

Gloucester City 20 4 6 10 26 35 18

Evesham Utd 18 4 5 9 20 23 17

Cheshunt 18 4 4 10 24 32 16

Cirencester Town 18 5 1 12 14 29 16

Northwood 18 3 3 12 18 41 12