A HUGELY controversial spot-kick award three minutes before half-time proved the turning point as Evesham suffered a first defeat in 11 matches.

Steve Lutz was adjudged by a referee's assistant to have handled a shot on the line and James Faulk-ner levelled matters from the spot.

A free-kick award prior to the goal should have gone Evesham's way, while Nathan Vaughan appeared to be pushed before spilling the cross that led to Lutz's goal-line block and subsequent dismissal at The Meadow.

The referee, who claimed he didn't see the incident, later apologised to visiting officials after an Aylesbury player told him that the ball had hit Lutz on the shoulder.

The table-toppers had controlled matters and taken a 21st minute lead when Gary Hay headed in Simon Fitter's 21st minute free-kick.

The scorer also dragged another chance wide, while Mark Hands saw a header cleared off the line.

The visitors had an escape when Danny Nicholls shot wide after racing clear but, two minutes after what Paul West described as "one of his worst ever half-time team talks", The Ducks grabbed what proved to be the winner. Ten-man Evesham failed to deal with a corner and Mike Feely bundled in their second goal from close-range.

There was no way back for West's men despite three substitutions and shots on target from Steve Luckett, Mark Owen and Daniel Lennon as the furious losers' lead at the top of the British Gas Business Division One Midlands was trimmed to four points.