Evesham United 0, Bedworth 1

THIS shocking performance has almost certainly put paid to Evesham's hopes of securing automatic promotion from the Southern League Division One West.

A dismal run of just two points from a possible 12 has now seen Yate Town move above the Robins into second place and on this showing it's hard to see where the next win is coming from.

Bedworth, who had two players sent-of and played the last half an hour with only nine men, comfortably saw off Dave Busst's side and in doing so confirmed their own Southern League status next season.

The first half was as dull as anything seen at Common Road for a long time. Lacking sparkle and invention, a solitary header from Richard Ball was the sum token of the first 45 minutes entertainment.

The only other talking point saw Bedworth's Paul Spacey sent off in stoppage time for a reckless tackle on Simon Fitter.

When Lee Greenway became the second Bedworth player to be dismissed on the hour, it should have given Evesham the incentive to go on and win the game.

Instead, just three minutes later Bedworth snatched the deciding goal when Leon Doughty beat Tim Clarke with a sweetly struck free-kick from 20 yards.

In a rare moment of action at the other end, Bedworth 'keeper Lee Evans blocked a shot from Ball and Leon Blake followed up with an overhead kick that landed on the roof of the net.

Evesham were then reduced to ten men, when former Bedworth player Neil O'Sullivan was shown red for unsporting behaviour directed at referee Mr Scarr.

The only other chance to fall United's way before the end came when Evans made a diving save to deny Matt Hall in the last minute.

On Saturday United travel to Brackley Town in the Southern League Division One West, kick-off 3pm.

Next Wednesday United's youth are away at Stratford Town in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Supplementary Cup, kick-off 7.30pm.