ASCOT United were hammered 6-2 by Highworth Town on Saturday in a match rich on high-quality goals.

It was the Yellamen’s eighth league and cup defeat in a row, while the visitors were extending their 100 per cent league record to eight games.

Despite the wide gap in form, United held their own for more than 20 minutes and were not even far away from taking an early lead.

Home keeper Lee Allen also pulled off two decent saves before the deadlock was broken midway through the half when Kevin Gleed allowed a cross to drop over his shoulder before volleying past Allen.

The Yellamen then found themselves 2-0 down when Wayne Turk’s wayward shot struck a defender, wrong-footed Allen, and looped fortuitously into the net after 32 minutes.

Only a superb goal-line clearance by Sam Boultwood denied the Worthians a third goal before half-time.

At the other end, the impressive James Goodey was twice denied by keeper Garry Aulsberry.

Any hopes Ascot had of getting back in the game in the second half quickly disappeared when they fell further behind to a brilliant left-footed strike by Nick Stanley on 50 minutes.

Allen had already denied Aysa Corrick a minute earlier, and was on hand soon afterwards to tip Ryan O’ Hara’s header onto the crossbar from Corrick’s cross.

Highworth added a superb fourth when Gleed’s skill took him clear down the left before crossing to Callum Parsons, who hammered home.

United pulled a goal back when substitute Conor Henry clipped a delightful effort over Aulsberry from 25 yards after latching onto Goodey’s clever pass on 69 minutes.

However, there was no stopping the Wiltshire side with Gleed striking in the 75th and 87th minutes to complete his hat-trick.

Ascot’s second goal came from Goodey, who volleyed home a deserved goal after latching onto Jonny Denton’s pass.

The Yellamen now find themselves second from bottom of the table with Burnham below them and winless Fairford immediately above them, all sides being on three points. And Ascot visit Fairford this Saturday (3pm) before hosting neighbours Bracknell next Tuesday (7.45pm).