Bedworth Utd 3, Evesham Utd 0

IF Evesham collect as few Western Division points in the next two months as they have collected in the past couple, then a battle against relegation will be on the cards, writes Mervyn Collins.

Phil Mullen's side had amassed 25 points after a home win over Warwick on October 23. After last Saturday's festive flop they are languishing in the lower reaches of the table with just 28 points against their name. A truly worrying statistic.

A win last weekend could have lifted United into the top eight and, with games in hand on all the sides above them, the pros-pect of a place back into the title picture.

However, despite a couple of new faces, the same sorry story unfolded. Making most of the play but making the fewest chances.

It proved a forgettable return for goalkeeper Damien Beattie, whose 29th minute handling error gifted Bedworth a penalty and earned the Australian a yellow card.

The visitors' defence had been torn open at least three times before Craig Whitmore blasted in the spot-kick off Beattie' hands. The custodian had earlier excelled in denying Ian Drewitt after six minutes.

Andy Smith shot wide, while the three Steves, Lutz, McCartan and Taylor all had efforts stopped by Richard Williams. Taylor then saw his 34th minute header blocked on the line, while debutant striker, Richard Leadbetter, saw his header three minutes later land on the back stanchion.

The icy surface caused players on both sides problems but Evesham attempted to knock the ball around, while the hosts relied on the long ball.

It was a surprise to some that the referee deemed the pitch fit for the second period, and especially so when Williams slipped while taking an early goal kick.

The pattern of play was the same and a goal for United would surely have seen them run out winners.

However, Lutz headed a Smith cross over before an exposed rearguard saw Paul Rostron skip past Beattie and slide in Bedworth's second.

Thirty-six minutes still remained but the goal ruined any chance of an abandonment.

Play was concentrated in the home half of the field but the final ball, like attackers in the danger area, was totally lacking.

A minute after Dean Roberts had replaced Russell Parmenter, a strangely subdued Mark Wolsey saw his clearance charged down and, after Beattie superbly parried a shot from Chris Partridge, Rostron had no trouble in stroking in Bedworth's third.

McCartan should have done better from a Roberts cross, Smith twice fired over while Roberts shot tamely at Williams.

Wolsey and Jay Powell both cleared shots off the line as the Evesham rearguard lost concentration. Partridge hit the bar on another foray forward, while Chris Goodman shot over as the visitors' back line endured a nightmare finale.

Leadbetter's left-footer in stoppage time brought a rare save of any note from Williams as United's display - and current demise - prompted a frosty reception from their hardy followers.