Rugby Utd 3, Evesham Utd 0

ANOTHER sorry Saturday saw United lose for the third successive weekend during which time they haven't managed a solitary goal.

It was a third reverse in four Western Division outings on the road - a record that needs swift repair if Phil Mullen's men aren't going to let early promise fade into mid-table obscurity.

The day didn't start to well with the news of Leroy May's move back to Halesowen. It didn't end too well either with another booking for Darren Bullock, his eighth in just 14 matches!

Manager Mullen drafted in Kidderminster defender Inderpaul Khela, who made an encouraging debut in place of the suspended Matt Gardiner, while Russell Parmenter earned a recall at the expense of Paul West.

Nathan Jukes and Shaun Pratt were reinstated in midfield and attack respectively but United never got their game together against a home side that made it five straight wins on home soil - just like the losers!

It came as little surprise that Rugby's opener should come from Evesham's failure to defend crosses as the unmarked Andy Commander headed in Craig Dutton's ninth minute flag-kick.

The hosts doubled their lead four minutes before the break when Neil Melvin reacted quickest to fire in the rebound after he had seen his 25-yarder rattle Chris Taylor's crossbar.

There was slight improvement in the visiting side's display after the break with Danny James, an interval replacement for Matt Pendleton, skimming the bar with a powerful strike.

However, Evesham's scoring drought continued and they then conceded a ninth goal in three away trips when Danny Hall completed the scoring nine minutes from time.