Didcot Town took a big step towards preserving their Division 1 South & West status in the Evo-Stik Southern League with a 1-0 win against mid-table Mangotsfield UnitedIt was not pretty to watch, but that hardly mattered, as the Railwaymen picked up only their third home win of the campaign.

They should have wrapped things up by half-time.

“Simieon Howell headed an early opportunity wide before Steve Davis rattled the bar with a left-foot effort.

Then Alex Stanley hit the underside of the bar with a long-range effort on 25 minutes.

Just before the break, Didcot grabbed what turned out to be the winning goal.

Paul Robinson’s 20 yard free-kick took a deflection off the wall and flew low into the corner of the net.

Mangotsfield were far better after the interval and had the home side penned in their own half for long spells.

Noah Keats brought a fine save from Jon Henley.

Keats had another chance in the closing stages, but his shot was off-target.

Didcot: Henly, Bernasconi (Mudge 75), Halliday, Heapy, Peirson, Stanley, Elkins, Howell (Mitchell 84), Robinson, Odhiambo (Concannon 80), Davis. Sub not used: Beames.

Attendance: 126.