Horspath 2nd lost the leadership of Cherwell League Division 2 for the first time this season following a hard-fought draw at Minster Lovell.
The side are now three points adrift of Westbury, who defeated Great & Little Tew by two wickets.
James Mattinson (36) got Minster off to a brisk start before Edgar Easterbrook (51) and Callum Ardron (50) hit half-centuries as the hosts posted 195-7 after being put in to bat.
Skipper Ryan Hicks (3-41) and fellow spinner Luke Heritage (3-48) were the pick of the Horspath attack.
The visitors' hopes of challenging the target were thwarted as they struggled to establish partnerships.
Dan Corner (41) top-scored before being run out by Easterbrook, while Will Eason hit an unbeaten 39 to see Horspath to the close at 160-8 as leg-spinner Eddie Dunn (3-45) shone for Minster.
Horspath, who are 44 points ahead of third-placed Witney Swifts, will seek to get their title challenge back on track on Saturday when they entertain fourth-placed Brackley, 38-run winners over Tiddington.
Horspath 3rd slid to a nine-wicket defeat at runaway leaders Kingston Bagpuize in Division 4B.
The visitors were shot out for 75 after being put in to bat with Nathan Himpson (4-17), Ranga Rebel (3-10) and Jordan Smith (3-16) doing the damage. Joe Gibbs (18) top-scored.
Jonathan Warner (46) then set Kingston on the way to victory at 76-1 with Daniel Stanley (1-28) taking the only wicket to fall.
The loss sees Horspath drop a place to fourth ahead of Saturday's home game against fifth-placed Stanton Harcourt, who beat Chipping Norton by 150 runs.
Horspath 4th made it back-to-back wins and stretched their unbeaten run in Division 6C to five games with a five-wicket win at home to bottom club Didcot 4th.
Openers Matthew Gray (35) and James Head (23) took Didcot to 61-0 after being put in to bat before they collapsed to 115 all out.
Sammy Parker (3-27) was the chief destroyer well supported by Harsh Singh (2-19) before Robin Pykett (2-5) claimed late wickets.
Horspath slumped to 12-3 in reply before Chris Hotchen (43no) and Ben Wise (22) steadied the ship.
Parker (30no) then joined Hotchen in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 60 to see Horspath home at 119-5.
The side remain seventh going into Saturday's trip to third-placed Frieth, who lost by seven wickets to new leaders Abingdon Vale 2nd.