Vinnie Rusher's strike after five minutes gave Milton United a 1-0 victory over Shortwood United in the first leg of their Sport Italia Hellenic League Floodlit Cup semi-final at The Heights on Monday.

It means Milton take a slender lead to Gloucestershire for Thursday's second leg.

Rusher, the league's top marksman, netted a spectacular goal on the volley from 25 yards.

At the other end, Shortwood's prolific striker, Chris Davis, saw an effort cancelled out by some solid defending from Alex Hors- man.

Milton had the better of Shortwood in the second half, Paddy Malone looking particularly dangerous with his surging runs.

Milton were unlucky to lose 2-1 away to Premier Division title favourites Slimbridge on Saturday.

A Matt Shelton free-kick from 35 yards was headed home by Martin Fox to put Milton in front.

Ross Casey equalised three minutes later, while Matt Casey got Slimbridge's winner 12 minutes from time.

A last-minute goal denied Abingdon Town the points as they drew 1-1 at home to high-flying Hungerford at Culham Road.

Town had taken the lead through a superb 38th minute free-kick from Mark Flanagan, but their resolve was broken in the dying seconds when a loose ball fell to Craig Shand, who netted a simple tap-in.

In stoppage time, Wantage almost equalised, Mark McMeeking deflecting a Wayne Harbert cross goalwards, but Paul Tassell brilliantly tipped the ball away.

Two first-half goals sent AFC Wallingford tumbling to another defeat as they lost 2-0 at Highworth on Tuesday to extend their winless run to seven games.

In the 40th minute, the Wallingford defence allowed Matty Goodwin to strike in a brilliant volley In the dying seconds of the half, Wallingford keeper Musa Manna spilt the ball straight into the path of Matt Pratley who made no mistake from close range A first-half strike by Mark Simms ended Wantage Town's run and sent Witney United through to the quarter-finals of the Linaker Insurance Brokers Cup with a 1-0 win on Saturday.