NEW Year - same old problems! Dodgy refereeing calls, shocking defending and a third reverse of the festive period at Bath City marred Evesham's introduction to 2006, writes Mervyn Collins.

A yellow card for petulance was followed ten minutes later by a foul by Gavin O'Toole. Referee Kevin Johnson took no action until two City players pointed out that the perpetrator had been booked already.

The United skipper took an early shower and left Tuesday's visitors to Twerton Park 54 minutes to hold out. They did for a mere four minutes when Gethin Jones was allowed a free header at a corner to give Bath the interval advantage.

The hosts had earlier struck the woodwork twice and Dave Adey tipped over another strike, while Steve Duncan came closest to scoring for United but his 31st minute header from O'Toole's free-kick was smothered on the line by City keeper Paul Evans.

United rarely looked like hitting back with John Williams and then Jermaine Clarke ploughing a lone furrow up front after top scorer Richard Ball was sacrificed.

However, credit is due to Dave Busst's men for protecting Adey resiliently until a mistake by Anthony Watson saw the goalkeeper only manage to block a shot with his feet and Scott Partridge nodded in the rebound 15 minutes from time.

Neutral observers at Common Road last Saturday were of the opinion that if the Robins play like they did in the second period against Merthyr, relegation can be averted. However, by the time Busst reshuffled his pack, the hosts were two goals down but they showed commendable skill and endeavour after the break to have earned a draw after substitute Duncan had headed in O'Toole's free-kick on the hour.

United were handed a lifeline when Mike Fowler dragged a 77th minute penalty wide but not even an injury to the Welsh goalkeeper could help the hosts rescue a point.

Evesham were again let down by sloppy defending as first Jason Welsh after 14 minutes and then Garry Sheppard six minutes later took advantage to give the Martyrs an advantage that they were perhaps a little fortunate to hang on to.