Evesham Utd 2, Hitchin Tn 0

SATURDAY'S first victory for more than two months highlighted the fine line between success and failure, writes Mervyn Collins.

On another afternoon, goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan would have been sent off after handling the ball outside his area as half-time approached. However, Oxford referee Chris Banks deemed yellow sufficient and the Robins breathed a huge sigh of relief.

United were leading 1-0 at the time after the predatory Richard Ball had marked his return with a typical close-range finish after 12 minutes when Hitchin's goalkeeper Richard Wilmot misjudged Leon Blake's deep cross.

Evesham were rampant in the early stages with Ball involved in almost every attack as the decision to ping long balls forward upset the Errea Cup finalists.

The hosts, who started without suspended pair Chad Shepherd and Craig Pountney and injured trio Grant Pinkney, Jamie Bailey and Adam Blake, were unable to turn domination into goals. And, when Vaughan stepped outside his penalty area, hearts were in mouths.

Despite coming out for the second half with 11 players, United knew that they would have to cope with the stiff breeze in their faces and Vaughan was relieved a minute in when Thomas Hayes raced clear only shoot weakly at the home custodian.

Mark Duckett then shot over before the lively Shane Benjamin did likewise after a neat turn at the opposite end.

The striker then spurned a glorious opportunity to double United's lead after 61 minutes when he latched on to Ball's superb pass but tried to be too clever when attempting to round Wilmot who gratefully smothered the ball.

Benjamin did far better three minutes later when shaking off two defenders before seeing his shot blocked for a corner.

Vaughan saved comfortably from Daniel French with 15 minutes left on the watch after which Adam Blake replaced Danny Hodnett in a bid to stiffen up the midfield.

The substitute did just that and, within three minutes of his arrival on the pitch, the points were wrapped up.

Benjamin and Steve Duncan showed tremendous tenacity in the tackle and Leon Blake showed equal determination before firing a deflected shot past Wilmot.

Impressive central defender Steve Luckett headed Rob Taylor's late corner narrowly over the bar before the final whistle was greeted with cheers and huge relief after a barren ten weeks.

Premier Division

P W D L F A Pts

Bath City 34 21 7 6 55 26 70

Salisbury City 32 21 4 7 61 23 67

King's Lynn 34 20 7 7 61 29 67

Chippenham Tn 35 20 7 8 64 42 67

Bedford Tn 35 18 7 10 57 48 61

Banbury Utd 35 15 10 10 59 51 55

Halesowen Tn 35 13 13 9 43 35 52

Yate Tn 35 16 4 15 60 64 52

Mangotsfield Utd 34 12 13 9 59 54 49

Grantham Tn 35 12 10 13 42 43 46

Merthyr Tydfil 33 12 9 12 47 44 45

Tiverton Tn 34 12 8 14 58 52 44

Hitchin Tn 35 11 11 13 51 61 44

Rugby Tn 34 12 8 14 52 55 44

Cirencester Tn 36 13 3 20 44 59 42

Cheshunt 35 11 8 16 48 55 41

Team Bath 35 12 5 18 49 61 41

Gloucester City 35 10 9 16 51 56 39

Northwood 35 10 5 20 44 74 35

Evesham Utd 34 6 13 15 36 46 31

Aylesbury Utd 35 6 11 18 31 57 29

Chesham Utd 35 7 8 20 34 71 29