Callum Convey scored the winner from the penalty spot as Ardley United triumphed 1-0 at Highworth Town in Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division on Tuesday.

The result means Kevin Brock’s sixth-placed side have dropped just three points from their last seven league games.

The hosts started the encounter the stronger, but Ardley gradually worked their way back into the contest.

And it was the visitors who went closest to scoring when Diego Petriaggi’s shot was parried to Ricky Johnson, who fired over the bar.

At the other end, keeper Jack Harding made a smart stop down to his left.

Ardley were forced onto the backfoot early in the second half and had a lucky escape on 53 minutes when Sam Wadieh’s shot came back off the inside of a post before bouncing away to safety.

On 65 minutes, Ardley scored what proved to be the winner.

A Highworth defender handled a cross and Convey tucked the resulting penalty past Gary Stevens.

After Harding saved a fierce shot from Highworth’s Chris Jackson, Ardley should have doubled their lead three minutes from time.

Jon Gardner was brought down in the box, but to Convey’s dismay, Stevens saved his resulting spot-kick.

On Saturday, Ardley started the defence of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup with a 6-0 first-round home hammering of Division 1 East visitors Carterton.

Johnson opened the scoring early on, before Luke Ingram made it 2-0.

Ben Thomas volleyed home a flick on from Johnson and Chris Jackson fired in Luke Ingram’s cut-back for 4-0.

Ardley kept up the pressure after the break, with strikes from Kieran Scott and Adam Beckett sealing victory.

Reece Bayliss went closest for Carterton when his lob came back off a post.

Ardley will now host Premier Division rivals Kidlington on Saturday, December 20.

On Saturday, Ardley are at home to Chinnor in the Bluefin Sports Cup second round.