Mangotsfield United 1, Evesham United 2

JOHN Deakin fired in the winner four minutes from time to clinch victory after the most thrilling of 90 minutes.

The action was end to end throughout on a remarkably good surface in a game that could so easily have ended six-all.

Evesham made the best possible start when the impressive Shaun Pratt nodded in Phil Preedy's cross after a mere 70 seconds.

However, after controlling matters for the opening quarter, unbeaten Mangotsfield revealed their qualities to level after Darren Edwards beat Damien Beattie to the ball 25 yards from goal. The striker hit the ball towards the gaping goal where Robert Claridge prodded in the equaliser despite Paul West's gallant efforts.

A heavy shower livened up the pitch and Pratt's only black mark of the afternoon on 27 minutes didn't prove costly. The striker found himself in the clear after another Preedy/Mark Wolsey inspired move but lost control as he took the ball past Paul Thompson.

The home goalkeeper then pushed Steve McCartan's 25-yarder over the top and, from the ensuing flag kick, Jay Powell revealed his defensive qualities as he blasted over from four yards!

That miss was the prelude to an amazing three minutes of action as Mangotsfield created four chances and Pratt saw his back heel scrambled to safety off the line.

Wolsey's volley flashed wide before Evesham had a let off on the stroke of the interval when an assistant referee's flag stayed down but Claridge miskicked in front of goal.

It was all Mangotsfield after the break and a hesitant visiting rearguard certainly had their fair share of good fortune.

The Evesham defence were continually found wanting and, only a mixture of poor finishing, good goalkeeping and last-ditch defending kept Phil Mullen's men in the game.

So, it was something of a surprise 19 minutes from time when Evesham found themselves with three men to spare in a rare attack.

Steve Taylor's shot, however, was blocked by Thompson's ample frame.

Two minutes later, the keeper bettered that feat to keep out Taylor's volley and the introduction of two home replacements opened up the final 15 minutes.

Again, Evesham were exposed at the back on several occasions but Beattie rescued them with a double save to deny Chris Churchill.

There seemed little danger when the visitors broke at the opposite end but Deakin had other ideas and his left-footer nestled sweetly in the corner as Mangotsfield tasted Dr Martens League defeat for the very first time.

"I like it when the opposition goalkeeper is made their man of the match," a delighted United boss Phil Mullen declared.

Mullen was also happy with the contribution of Shaun Pratt, who caught the eye as a replacement for Sam Bowen who has signed for Halesowen Town.

"Shaun has buckled down during the last few weeks," Mullen revealed. "His attendance at training wasn't too good but we had a chat and his efforts are now paying off.

"He's got bags of pace and really gives defenders something to think about when he pushes the ball past them and hares after it."

While Mullen - buoyed by news of Bilston's draw and defeat for Tiverton - was content to savour the plusses of a brilliant afternoon, assistant Paul Davies was honest enough to admit United looked rather shaky in defence.

"We weren't tight enough at the back but the lads can be excused a bad day as they have done really well in recent weeks."

Mullen added: "They used the pitch to the full, hitting the ball into the corner where it held up for them and they really stretched us.

"We weren't really in the game at the start of the second half but their changes allowed us more room up front and we took advantage."

Mangotsfield's league game at Hinckley on Tuesday was abandoned after 31 minutes.