A THIRD knockout exit at the hands of lower league opposition spoiled what had been a profitable month for Eves-ham United.

Seven points from four Southern League Premier Division matches had hauled Dave Busst's men clear of the relegation trapdoor and the introduction of several new faces had lifted the October gloom and despair at Common Road.

However, November ended as it had started with a defeat. Studley inflicted county embarrassment on the opening day and it was old Worcestershire foes Bromsgrove who dished out United's heaviest defeat for three seasons in the Errea League Cup on Tuesday.

Evesham's last five-goal margin of defeat was at Mangotsfield in the 2002/2003 campaign and Busst's men face a trip to Cossham Street for their next game on Saturday when restoring pride will be the main priority.

Their previous heaviest home reverse - 6-1 - came at the hands of Chippenham Town during the previous season and United were lucky not to have conceded even more goals on a tortuous night.

Chris Taylor, who was between the sticks at Mangotsfield, saved Ben Porter's 15th minute penalty but the keeper's weak punch five minutes later led to Matt Barnes-Homer chipping in the opener from 20 yards.

Adam Blake's hesitancy cost United a second goal that Porter fired in off Lee Knight's foot and the tie appeared over seconds into the second half when Scott Hadland tapped in Brom-sgrove's third.

However, had Richard Ball not fluffed two glorious chances and Rob Taylor's drive found the corner inst-ead of flashing inches past a post, the hosts could have had the prospect of some knockout action in the new year.

It was Rovers, though, who came closest to adding to their tally when a header from Exodus Geohaghan struck the bar before goals from Porter and Barnes-Homer after 78 and 83 minutes ensured the winners - and especially Tim Clarke - were smiling broadly at the final whistle.

There was more bad news for the Robins as Ball and Anthony Watson both limped out of the action and their possible absence on Saturday will be a huge blow.

Busst will welcome back rested trio Matty Lewis, Steve Duncan and Gavin O'Toole and, according to assistant Paul West, there could be some new faces on board for the visit to last season's Division One West champions.

A return to Cossham Street for either Taylor or Dave Adey, available after suspension, won't have happy memories for either with the latter returning to the ground where a serious injury brought a premature end to his last campaign.

Full back Neil O'Sullivan joined the November exodus of players when he joined Stourport Swifts last week.

Southern League Premier Division

P W D L F A Pts

Mangotsfield Utd 17 9 6 2 34 23 33

Salisbury City 14 10 2 2 26 7 32

Bedford Tn 17 9 3 5 28 24 30

Chippenham Tn 14 9 2 3 29 19 29

Banbury Utd 17 8 5 4 31 23 29

King's Lynn 16 8 3 5 28 15 27

Bath City 14 7 3 4 19 10 24

Team Bath 16 7 3 6 20 20 24

Halesowen Tn 16 5 8 3 23 18 23

Hitchin Tn 18 6 5 7 25 29 23

Yate Tn 18 7 2 9 25 38 23

Grantham Tn 17 6 4 7 22 22 22

Merthyr Tydfil 12 6 3 3 23 15 21

Tiverton Tn 14 6 2 6 23 20 20

Aylesbury Utd 15 5 5 5 15 15 20

Chesham Utd 17 6 2 9 22 31 20

Rugby Tn 17 5 4 8 26 34 19

Evesham Utd 18 4 5 9 20 23 17

Gloucester City 18 4 5 9 25 33 17

Cheshunt 17 4 4 9 22 29 16

Cirencester Tn 17 5 1 11 13 27 16

Northwood 17 2 3 12 17 41 9