Bromsgrove Rovers 1

Evesham United 3

A MASTERLY midfield show in the first half gave United a three-goal cushion they almost threw away after the interval.

They didn't just take their feet off the gas, they stalled the engine as memories of past surprises against struggling Rovers surfaced in the second period.

The two Steves - McCartan and Taylor, Mark Wolsey and Andrew Hodgetts were an inspiration in the opening 45 minutes as Evesham displayed championship credentials. Hodgetts and McCartan both found the net after Stuart Payne's astute lob had given the visitors a tenth minute advantage.

However, the turning point of Saturday's clash came after 28 minutes when Kevin Banner shot wide from ten yards with only Damien Beattie to beat.

United went straight up the other end, where Andy Smith's sliced pass was volleyed goalwards by Shaun Pratt for Hodgetts to double the lead.

Six minutes before the break, Hodgetts was sent crashing in the penalty area and McCartan confidently converted from 12 yards.

That was the last time Evesham troubled a far from confident Elliott Morris in the Bromsgrove goal and it was opposite number Beattie who rescued the visitors.

Banner twice missed the target from good positions before Steve Frost thumped home a 15-yarder to trim Evesham's lead after 58 minutes.

Phil Mullen's men seemed content to sit on their advantage, but they were grateful to two Beattie blocks after 77 and 80 minutes to prevent first Grant Beckett and then Costas Chiroopa causing embarrassment to the Common Roaders.

All in all, though, it was a deserved win against a bogey side on a day when wins for Hinckley, Bilston and Tiverton left the race for top two places still very much in the melting pot.