TWO goals in the space of three first half minutes from James Fox reignited Evesham's play-off push while condemning the former divisional leaders to a second successive Southern League defeat.

The Robins totally dominated the opening 45 minutes but were content to sit on their two-goal cushion and were fortunate not to have their lead eaten in to.

Rovers didn't have a worthwhile effort at goal in the first half while Tuesday night's hosts were superior in all departments and Richard Ball and Steve Lutz should have done better with chances in the opening 25 minutes.

Paul West made five changes to the side defeated at Sutton four days earlier with Danny Hodnett making his seasonal bow on loan from Worcester City and Ball, Lutz and Steve Duncan all returning from suspension.

However, the Robins made their pressure count after 29 minutes when Simon Fitter's free-kick found the corner of the Bromsgrove net with Fox laying claim to the final touch in the dressing room after the game.

There was no doubt as to the striker's finish two minutes when Ball's superb pass left Fox in the clear to sidestep goalkeeper James Coates and slide the ball into the gaping goal.

Rod Brown made a few positional changes at the break and Rovers came out looking for a lifeline it was Nathan Lamey who almost provided it.

After forcing Nathan Vaughan into a couple of saves, Lamey's cross on the hour was met by Neil Davis but his header struck the outside of an upright.

Seconds later and Fox spurned a glorious chance to complete his hat-trick when slicing wide from a good position inside the Bromsgrove penalty area.

There were loud appeals for a penalty at the opposite end when Duncan looked to have handled but they were waved aside by the referee and it was Fox again who should have ended the night's scoring but his late left-footer was diverted for a corner by a covering defender.

Happily, there was no repetition of the hefty card count in the earlier meeting between he two sides with only three being shown - two harshly to Steven Hands and Lutz - on a night when a healthier crowd of 233 turned up at St George's Lane.

Meanwhile, Stourport Swifts' game with leaders Brackley Town at Walshes Meadow last night was postponed.