Evesham Utd 1, Brackley Tn 1

WAYWARD finishing again proved costly as two more Southern League Division One West points slipped from Evesham's grasp last Saturday.

Leading by a Jermaine Clarke goal after 11 minutes, the scorer then contrived to fire hopelessly wide when faced with only visiting goalkeeper Richard Knight to beat nine minutes after half-time.

There wasn't a player within 20 yards of the striker yet he somehow failed to find the net and Brackley's next attack saw them on terms.

While it's easy to point the finger at missed opportunities, there was also the string of fine stops by Knight and some stalwart defensive work by the section newcomers to thwart a United side that saw Simeon Williams, brother of Danny, make his United debut 24 hours after long-serving Andy Smith bowed out of Common Road after signing for Solihull Borough.

There was a recall for David Carns in place of Stuart Hamilton, while Danny Williams made way for the available again Gavin O'Toole.

The home side looked set to record a third home win of the season when Knight could only parry Wesley Joyce's header from an O'Toole corner and Clarke pounced to fire the Robins ahead.

Knight produced a stupendous save to keep out Steve Duncan's point-blank header from another O'Toole flag-kick that had goal written all over it but things started to go wrong for Evesham on the half-hour when Dave Adey hobbled off with a hamstring problem.

A fit again Tim Clarke was a ready-made replacement but the substitute keeper started off the comedy capers that saw Gary Wickens level after 55 minutes.

Player-manager Mike Ford swung in a high cross that Clarke misjudged. Anthony Watson had a chance to clear but could only slice the ball to Wickens who headed into an empty net from the edge of the penalty area.

United went on to dominate the remainder of the proceedings but O'Toole, Joyce and Leon Blake were all denied by Knight on another afternoon of frustration for the home faithful.