OLD favourite Phil Preedy was denied a dream comeback in Evesham colours when Stourport snatched a last-gasp leveller on Monday night.

Preedy, who left Common Road for Ledbury earlier this season, marked his surprise return with the opening goal ten minutes from time.

A free-kick from Nathan Jukes was charged down only for Preedy's follow-up to find the net past an unsighted Rob Clarke.

The match was two minutes into stoppage-time when Stourport's perseverance paid off when the United defence failed to clear a corner.

Efforts from Steve Ulfig and John Newall were blocked but substitute Andy Wright finally found a way past Tim Hart.

Phil Mullen was again forced to make changes with Mark Shepherd and Paul West carrying injuries and Kidderminster loan pair Inderpaul Khela and Nick Heath again required by Ian Britton at Aggborough.

Preedy joined Scott Mullen and Wes Joyce up front, while Mark Rollings partnered Jay Powell in central defence.

Stourport were hoping for a swift pick-me-up after Saturday's defeat at relegated Warwick and the recalled Richard Ball saw a 21st minute shot fly narrowly wide.

Clarke foiled Mullen, Joyce and Mark Wolsey before Preedy was on hand to break the deadlock and give the visitors every opportunity for revenge after a 4-1 New Year's Day reverse at Common Road.

However, Wright had other ideas and his goal left the Robins with just a single point to show from their Easter programme.

Stourport were the last team to inflict defeat on champions-elect Merthyr Tydfil, who showed just why they have proved the top side in the Western Division this season last Saturday.

The Welshmen, though, needed a the help of goalkeeper Hart to overcome a stubborn Evesham outfit that rarely looked like scoring against the visitors for the first time in three meetings this term.

Hart could only parry Andy Mainwaring's 12th minute volley and Justin Pritchard was on hand to fire in the rebound.

It took the leaders until two minutes from time to secure the win when Pritchard took advantage of Hart's poor kick returning it with interest from 35 yards.

Merthyr's miserly defence that has conceded 30 goals in 40 league matches proved more than a match for a disappointing United front line that lost the injured Shepherd after 58 minutes. A West header from a corner that flews wide was the home side's solitary first half threat although Joyce looked to have a case for a penalty when shoved in the back by Gary Thorne. Hart produced a marvellous stop to keep out Mainwaring's overhead kick shortly after the restart but it was Merthyr second and not an Evesham equaliser that looked more likely in the second period. There were few alarms in the Welsh rearguard although Thorne was fortunate when his sliced deflection from a cross from Jukes flew narrowly wide. Monday's late strike leaves Evesham in ninth place in the table, level on points with Rugby and Gresley Rovers. Mullen's men have two matches remaining to secure a top ten finish starting with Saturday's visit to Sutton Coldfield - one of three teams that could still overhaul the Robins. Clevedon Town, who lost 1-0 at home to Weston on Monday to keep the championship chase alive following Merthyr's defeat of Cirencester earlier in the day, are the visitors to Common Road on Saturday, May 3.