Evesham United 2 Bromsgrove Rovers 0

Southern League Division One West

ROVERS' promotion hopes suffered a severe dent as striker Richard Ball's brace settled a feisty Worcestershire derby at Common Road.

The home side were lucky to have 11 men playing after Simon Fitter's high tackle from behind on Rovers' midfielder Mark Benbow in the first minute, but Referee Mr Sinclair only booked the winger rather than handing out a straight red card.

Benbow's long range shot sailed over Evesham's bar in the fifth minute, before United's Neil O'Sullivan was booked for a nasty challenge on winger John Daniels.

Rovers' goalkeeper Ian Gandy, replacing the suspended Matt Lowe, got down well to parry Ball's 17th minute shot after being fed by strike partner Jermaine Clarke.

Rovers were struggling to get out of their own half under heavy Evesham pressure, but Benbow's volley flew wide of Tim Clarke's goal in the 18th minute.

Rovers were lucky to be on level terms when Ball's bullet header from Fitter's corner hit a post two minutes later.

Stout Karl Johnson defending in the 25th minute denied the striker a goal.

The forward controlled Matt Hall's cross, but Johnson slid into deny him in the penalty box, with Steve Hillman following up to clear Ball's second attempt.

Bromsgrove hitman Paul Szewczyk rattled Evesham's bar in the 40th minute after Jae Martin, on loan from Moor Green, put him through.

Evesham turned pressure into a goal three minutes later, when Ball took advantage of hesitant defending by Hillman and Ross Collins to slip the ball between Gandy's legs.

Ball's delicate lob in the 49th minute was inches wide of Gandy's goal.

Rovers had a chance to equalise in the 50th minute, but 'keeper Clarke bravely held onto Kevin Banner's free kick as players on both sides slid in.

Szewczyk and Daniels were denied shooting chances by resolute Evesham as Rovers searched for an equaliser.

Hillman had to be alert to win the ball off the lively Hall after a powerful 82nd minute surge down the right wing.

Ball killed the game off when he slotted home the winner after Rovers' defence fell asleep at Gavin O'Toole's deep free kick in the 86th minute.

Rovers pushed for a consolation goal in the dying minutes, with Johnson shooting side, but Evesham held onto seal a league double over Bromsgrove.

Rovers: Gandy 7, K Johnson 7, Churchill 6, Hillman 6, Collins 6, Male 7, Daniels 6, (M Johnson 6), Benbow 6, Martin 5, Szewzyk 6, Banner 6 (Sangha 6).

Referee: Mr Les Sinclair

Attendance: 367

By Peter McKinney