EVESHAM produced a fabulous display on their return to the top flight of the Southern League and a point was the least they deserved for their gallant efforts.

Having lost goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan and top scorer Mark Owen during the summer and with Steve Luckett still coaching in America, Paul West found himself stripped of three of his top players from last season’s championship winning side.

And, when influential skipper Steve Lutz phoned in sick seven hours before kick-off, the United manager must have felt it wasn't going to be his day.

However, returning to the ground where he first took sole charge of Evesham two and half years ago, West saw his charges produce a battling display that really should have seen them start the new campaign with a win.

Gary Hay led the visiting side’s attack with great gusto but it was lively strike partner Danny Lennon who spurned a fifth minute chance when he shot over an unguarded goal after Mike Armitt had miskicked a clearance.

Hay, Joe Clarke and Simon Fitter all tested the Town custodian, while Mark Hands directed another couple of efforts wide.

United goalkeeper Karl Lewis was relieved when Steve Gentle sliced wide early on and then watched Craig Daniel’s drive fly over.

Danny Scheppel lobbed a chance wide in the second-half before Lewis, who spilled a regulation catch, was grateful to the referee who penalised a home player for a foul before Akin Aledetoun netted 12 minutes from time.

Lewis was helpless four minutes later when hesitation at the back post by Scheppel led to Aledetoun opening the scoring from close-range.

Just when it looked like United’s efforts would go unrewarded, Steven Hands headed Fitter’s 89th minute corner on to the crossbar.

It appeared that the referee had blown for a foul against the defender but he had spotted Hodnett being manhandled and Scheppel coolly converted the spot-kick as home players continued to argue with the official.