Evesham United 1, Taunton Town 2

JUST like Christmas, it was the same old story at Common Road last Saturday! (writes Mervyn Collins).

The biggest crowd of the season turned out to see Phil Mullen's side look to build on successive wins over two top three teams - only to blow it!

It wasn't the manner of performance that left a bitter taste but United's failure to cash in on a host of chances that ought to have seen the points wrapped up by half-time.

However, Taunton somehow survived and two goals in three minutes earned them a season's double despite a late consolation from Grant Pinkney.

Continuing the festive theme, Wesley Joyce and Dave Peckham weren't two of the wisest men around as their indulgence in a late bout of fisticuffs saw both men red-carded.

Again on the same theme, the Boxing Day potponement at Cinderford due to waterlogging, left the suspended Shaun Pratt kicking his heels, meaning Steve Lutz's recall after a one-match ban was the only change from the side that won at Weston.

The match has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 4 (7.45pm).

The omens for a Somerset double didn't look good for the Robins when Nathan Jukes struck a post and the bar at the end of the same eighth minute move.

Lutz, Paul Hunter, Gary Barnett and Mark Wolsey then all contrived to waste good openings, while Leon Hapgood's shot was Town's only real threat to Chris Taylor's goal.

It was a similar tale after the break with the Taunton goal leading a charmed life albeit thanks to the generosity of the home attackers.

Hunter, Barnett and Neil Illman all spurned chances to break the deadlock, while Hapgood hit a post in the 65th minute after a rare Town break.

The inevitable finally happened five minutes later when Luke Dawkins gave the visitors the lead and hopes of another prize scalp ended three minutes later when Hapgood made it 2-0 following Barnett's dreadful clearance.

Joyce was shoved up front as Pinkney and Danny James replaced Barnett and Illman. The changes soon worked as Pinkney finally found the net following a free-kick from Jukes four minutes from time but it was all too late to salvage a point.

Joyce, who had already seen yellow, then saw red to further sour the afternoon for the home faithful, most of whom have seen it all before!

Mullen's men are back on the road on Saturday with a visit to Atherstone, while Mangotsfield make a swift return to Common Road on Tuesday (7.45) following their aborted trip last month when the lights went out. Match sponsor is P J Nicholls.

On Monday United's youth team take on Malvern Town at Common Road in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Southern Division (7.30pm).