WILY veteran John Gayle could return to provide extra valuable experience in Evesham United's promotion drive tonight (7.45).

Dave Busst's Robins head to lowly Gloucestershire outfit Cinderford Town with a Southern League Division One West top-two spot still within their grasp.

Matthew Hall's equaliser 15 minutes from time secured a 1-1 draw at Ashford Town on Saturday, their second draw in a row with a high-flier after a similar result at home to Yate Town.

At Cinderford, assistant boss Paul West is calling on the experienced heads, such as former Birmingham City and Stoke City man Gayle, 40, to help secure an important three points.

West said: "We're hoping John will be available. He gives us experience and his attitude is first-class. In the dressing room, he fires people up. In fact, his reputation is exactly what you get.

"We do have quite a young squad and some of our results have reflected their lack of experience so it's up to the older players and ex-professionals to help us through it."

Midfielder Marc Burrow is away through work this week but midfielder Danny Williams enhanced his claims for a start with a bright impact as a substitute at Ashford.

Yate, a point behind Evesham in third place, entertain leaders Mangotsfield at the same time with the Robins hoping for an away win to boost their own hopes.

West admitted: "I think winning the title is going to be a difficult one. We've got to be realistic and if Yate get a result, there would be three of us fighting heavily for two spots. So we could do with Mangotsfield winning that.

"But really what other people do is irrelevant as if we get four wins from the last four games then we are promoted and that's the main objective."

Cinderford could still be dragged into the relegation zone by Bracknell Town but they have games in hand due to a batch of postponements at their notorious home pitch.

West added: "Cinderford is a difficult place to go at the best of times. They will be fighting for their lives and, with the conditions, there won't be much football played. It will be cut and thrust.

"We need to improve on the Ashford performance. We just couldn't raise our tempo until we made a few changes late on. If we had shown any kind of fire and more commitment, we'd have made it easier for ourselves."