Evesham 0-1 Didcot Att:136

Phil's John's brilliant strike 8 minutes from time settled this even encounter at Worcester City's St George's Lane ground.

It wasn't Didcot's finest performance of the season but it's certainly up there with the most notable result so far.

For long spells neither side were able to break down two dogged defences. By half-time there hadn't been a clear-cut chance at either end ib a game played almost exclusively within 20 yards either side of the halfway line.

The importance of 3 points to both sides must have been emphasised in both dressing room at the break because there was much more attacking intent after halftime. And in fairness it was Evesham who were starting to pose most of the questions.

A key moment arrived after about 55 minutes when Martin Brown was adjudged to have brought down Danny Lennon for a hotly disputed penalty. The foul was half-a-yard outside the box, a fact acknowledged by the ref's assistant, who then refused to bring this small fact to the referee's attention. Justice was done though as a diving Matt Trott pushed away the initial spoit-kick and then an Evesham player somehow sliced the follow-up wide of the goal with nobody to beat!

Lennon then hit the bar from close-range as it was backs to the wall for the visitors.

But gradually the momentum was shifting and first Mark Draycott almost forced the ball over the line following a Phil John free-kick and then John struck narrowly over from distance.

With time running out Ian Sampson forged forward down the right, playing-in a neat pass to John who turned and struck a brilliant left-foot shot from 25 yards past the despairing dive of Nathan Vaughan.

Cue a few nervy moments as the ref played a good 5 or 6 minutes of stoppage time...eventually the final whistle greeted with jubilation from the 60 or so travelling Diddy supporters.

It was Diddy's first away clean-sheet of the campaign and a few exception performances particularly from Trotty and the backline. The win moves us up two places and now just 2 points behind Evesham in 16th place.

Next-up is the tasty looking rematch with Tiverton at the Loop next Saturday, a side who are much improved and looking to pull clear of trouble themselves. Full preview later in the week.

DO NOT MISS THIS!

Didcot Town FC are pleased to be hosting Robert Alexander Giles; the finest Michael Jackson tribute act around at the moment, at the Loop Meadow on Saturday 13 February 2010 (8pm til late).

Tickets are just £12 and available NOW from the club. You may be able to pay on the night but only if there are tickets still available, so to ensure your attendance get your tickets in advance!

This guy really is the best around - and you can check out just how good he is here

You can also listen to him performing a stunning version of 'Human Nature' here

It should be another cracking night at the club so please spread the word about town and get yourselves along. Over 18's only, with disco of course...this is not to be missed!

Brackley 2-2 Didcot Att:251

Didcot continued their decent form in previous years at St James Park yesterday with a share of the points at 2nd placed Brackley.

It was a fine performance and no less than we deserved after our unlucky defeat earlier in the campaign against the same opponents.

Injury and work commitments meant we were missing both Josh Dutton-Black and Andy Williams, Martin Brown starting his first game at centre back since November and Lydon Szabo drafted in from the Reserves onto the bench.

Owen Storey gave Brackley an early lead but Diddy hit back when Michael Alexis bundled home before the break.

Diddy then went in front on the hour mark when the highly impressive Philip John (pictured right) scored and at that point Didcot looked like causing the upset of the day. Unfortunately injury and cramp meant we had to shuffle the defence with both Brown and Jordan Tabor limping out of the action. The Saints finished strongly with Ben Mackey equalizing and then Didcot having Matt Trott to thank for keeping us level in some nervy closing stages.

So, all in all a great point and one that keeps us outside the relegation zone. Another tricky match will follow next weekend at Evesham, but with the lads showing some real fighting spirit in recent weeks, confidence must be high that we can continue to battle our way clear of danger.