EVESHAM suffered their first defeat in nine British Gas Business Premier Division matches when a 21st-minute goal from Lee Chaffey earned Cambridge the points.
It was the Robins’ first league loss at St George’s Lane since January 1 and the first time they had conceded a goal for 443 minutes.
Paul West’s men dominated the second-half when Michael Hayden and Steve Luckett came closest to levelling.
The former was harshly judged to have committed a foul in the 21st minute and the defence failed to deal with the far post free-kick and Chaffey bundled the ball into the net.
James Blake fired over after the goal and Simon Fitter’s corner was deflected on to the crossbar as the Robins sought a swift response.
Danny Scheppel saw his glancing header excellently saved while Luckett’s late effort was inches wide.
The defender was within inches of levelling six minutes after the restart, while Hayden rippled the side-netting with a 25-yarder after being set-up by substitute Gary Hay.
Manager West also used Robert Ager and Allando Davis in a bid to rescue a point, while Mark Hands brought an 89th-minute save out of Zac Barrett but time ran out for battling Evesham.
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