WINCHESTER City have a rather large score to settle when they visit Didcot Town on Saturday in the Southern One South & West.

The Citizens moved up to third in the table last night, extending their six-match league and cup winning streak to six games with a 4-0 beating of Bashley.

But the game that preceded that glorious run was arguably the low point of the season as Didcot ripped them apart 5-1 at the Denplan City Ground on January 6.

Manager Paul Masters admitted: “They came and did a proper job on us at our place, so we’re well aware that Saturday's going to be tough.

“When we played them before we’d had a few games called off and looked very sluggish.

“Didcot were big, strong and workmanlike and got two early goals from a long throw and a set-piece which put us on the back foot, so we’ve got to be aware of that.”

They say the thing about defeat is how you react to it and Winchester did not let it drag them down.

Beating Bashley – the Foresters’ 26th straight defeat of a so far point-less season – was far from easy. But they got the job done through Matt Benham, Zach Glasspool, Rob Flooks and a majestic Warren Bentley finish - his 41st goal of the season - which put Masters in mind of Dennis Bergkamp.

“It wasn’t the best performance, but a win’s a win,” said the boss. “Bashley's players worked very hard and were a credit to the club. They set up not to concede and some of our better players found it difficult.

“Like I said after beating Yate last Saturday, it was important we got six points out of six this week while other people weren’t playing. It’s put us right back up to where I think we should be.”

City are six points behind leaders Cinderford, who visit AFC Totton on Saturday having gone nearly two weeks without a game.

“On their day, Totton will beat anyone in this league, so let’s hope they have a good day!” smiled Masters.

Winchester, who have all bar injured defender Adam Tomasso available for Didcot, have released young, London-based striker Harlan Basker.

“It’s a long way to travel and it wasn’t ideal because he couldn’t train all the time,” Masters explained.

“The club’s got a budget and we’ve bought in Craig Feeney who’s a local lad.

“Harlan's a good lad, but he needs to play and has been travelling a long way to sit on the bench.

"He’s been a credit to himself turning up for every game. Hopefully he’ll get himself a club and he should have a decent future.”