AFTER an abject first half display, Evesham turned the tables on their hosts and could have returned home with all three points in this British Gas Business Premier Division clash.
Debutant Tom Etheridge had the visiting side’s solitary goal attempt of the opening 45 minutes but his 38th-minute volley flew a yard wide.
Nathan Vaughan produced a couple of vital first-half stops, while Steven Hands came to his rescue after 22 minutes with a crucial challenge six yards out after the goalkeeper had pushed aside Kyle Lapham’s deflected drive.
Hands, though, was at fault when Supermarine opened the scoring on 44 minutes when Joe Harris’ left-footer from 18 yards wrong-footed the United custodian.
The Robins, missing injured skipper Steve Lutz and the suspended Simon Fitter, suffered another blow at half-time when Danny Scheppel failed to re-appear.
And, had Vaughan not produced the save of the game to turn over Chris Taylor’s 49th minute deflected strike, United’s task would have been made harder.
Danny Hodnett ballooned a chance over two minutes earlier but Vaughan’s save appeared to spur on Paul West’s men and an equaliser arrived in the 56th minute.
Hodnett’s through ball picked out Gary Hay who came out of a challenge with the home keeper with the ball and rolled it into the gaping goal.
The scorer, who was having breathing problems, was replaced up front by full-back Michael Hayden in the 65th minute and the change appeared to inspire Danny Lennon.
After Mark Hands had fired over following the striker’s run and cross, Lennon saw two efforts deflected for corners, while Michael Batchelor flashed a header over from Etheridge’s 74th-minute corner.
Lennon’s volley two minutes later was heading for the bottom corner until Matt Bulman plunged to his left to turn it wide.
A second goal would have been deserved reward for West’s charges but a fourth draw of the season will have been a welcome return considering the injury problems that were increased by an ankle injury to Mark Hands.
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